PTSD Flashcards
1
Q
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-
A
long lasting but delayed psychological effect of severe trauma.
-main similarity us with “combat fatigue/shell shock” esp in 1914-18 war.
PTSD intro in 1980 to DSM-3- post Vietnam war.
2
Q
Diagnosis
A
1- Delayed/protracted response to severely stressful or traumatic event (war, disaster, torture, violence)- latency weeks/months (<6 months).
2- Symps of re-living, intrusive memories, flashback, nightmares cued by reminders.
3- Avoidance of possible cues.
4- High arousal, hyper-vigilance, low startle threshold.
3
Q
Prevalence
A
approx 4% of adult population.
x2 in F v M.
4
Q
Treatment
A
CBT- prevent response.
SSRIs
“mood stabilizers”- e.g. Sodium Valproate.
