PTSD Flashcards
What is PTSD?
3 main cluster of symptoms, lasting longer than 4 weeks:
- Re-experiencing
- Hyperarousal
- Avoidance
HAS TO BE EVIDENCE OF SEVERE TRAUMA.
What is reliving?
Flashbacks
Recurring memories related to the traumatic event
Recurring dreams of the event.
What is hyperarousal?
Difficulty falling asleep
Irritability/anger outbursts
Difficulty concentrating
Startle response
What is avoidance?
Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings associated with trauma.
Avoid activities, places and people that remind them of it.
Feeling detached and reduced interest in participation in general activities.
What was the DSM-5?
Negative alterations in cognitions and mood.
Persistent negative cognitions about self and others.
Negative emotional state.
Diminished interest in significant activities and inability to experience positive emotions.
What are the types of trauma?
Type I : Single event
Type II: Prolonged and repeated trauma
Interpersonal vs natural disaster
Intergenerational trauma
Catastrophic trauma
What is the aetiology of PTSD?
Not really known.
Heritability 30%
Impaired sensitivity of HPA axis.
Reduced hippocampal volume.
What is the prevalence of PTSD?
8% in general population.
31% of Vietnam veterans.
More prevalent n interpersonal trauma than disaster victims.
What is important in history taking in PTSD?
Current mental state Past psychiatric symptoms Developmental history Employment history Substance abuse
Risk to self and others
What led to the breakdown
Suicidal thoughts
What are some comorbidities?
Alcohol abuse
Drug abuse
MDD
Physical conditions
What is the treatment?
Watchful waiting in mild/moderate
Pharmacotherapy
Psychological interventions (trauma focused CBT)
What does management involve?
Evaluate severity of PTSD Evaluation of risk to self and others Treat comorbidity Physical health checks Social support Voluntary work Carers assessment
How have the DSM classifications changed over time?
DSM I classed patients as fundamentally resilient and able to bounce back, underlying individual weakness.
DSM II- underlying character weakness or constitutional vulnerability
DSM IV (2000): Normal response to catastrophic trauma
What are the problems with the current DSM classification?
Complex PTSD- this is extreme stress that is not specified in criteria. There is an enduring personality change. (problem for insurance based healthcare as you cant diagnose them)
What is EPCACE and how is it diagnosed?
This is when ICD added a new diagnostic category: Enduring personality change after catastrophic experience.
It is a change of at least 4 years duration in a persons pattern of perceiving/relating to the environment and self following exposure to catastrophic stress.
There has to be evidence of struggle during childhood/adolescence. There can be no prior personality disorder, or brain injury/mental health disorder.
CATASTROPHIC TRAUMA NECESSARY
Permanent hostile attitude, social withdrawal, feeling empty/hopeless.