PTSD Flashcards
when is a diagnosis of PTSD only considered?
if individual has experienced extreme trauma prior to the symptoms
what extreme trauma may have occurred?
directly experienced trauma, witnessed traumatic event that others suffered, learnt about trauma that happened to family member/friend, been repeatedly subjected to details of distressing trauma (police officers)
give some examples of traumas that can cause PTSD
domestic/sexual violence, shooting, burglary, natural disasters, car accident
why do some people who have experienced a trauma not develop PTSD?
may not have psychological or biological vulnerability factors
what are some features of PTSD in the DSM-5?
intrusive symptoms, dreams/flashbacks, active avoidance, negative mood cognitions, increased arousal, hyper vigilance, lack of sleep, chronic condition, linked to suicide/depression/self-harm
list the different explanations for PTSD
biological factors, vulnerability factors, conditioning theory, dual-representation theory
what do studies on war veterans suggest?
that PTSD has a genetic element
what is the heritability component of PTSD estimated at?
30%
what area of the brain is smaller and underdeveloped in PTSD sufferers?
hippocampus (critical role in memory)
failure of the _______ ______ cortex to control ______ activity so can’t process emotions properly
medial prefrontal, amygdala
there is a ______ risk for PTSD if people feel overly responsible for the traumatic event
higher
what are some of the vulnerability factors?
developmental (difficulties in childhood), being highly anxious before event, people with mental defeat (negative views of themselves and the world)
people with _____ IQ have better coping strategies than people with ____ IQ
higher, low
the trauma becomes associated at the time of the trauma with situational cues associated with place and time of trauma = what theory?
conditioning theory
when the situational cues happen in the future what do they elicit in PTSD sufferers?
arousal and fear that was experienced during the trauma
sufferers develop ______ and ______ avoidance responses that distract them from fully processing the cues. what does this not allow to be forgotten?
cognitive, physical. doesn’t allow associations between the cues and trauma to be forgotten
what reinforces and maintains PTSD symptoms?
avoidance
memory that comes from senses e.g. sounds and smells that can trigger flashbacks
SAM (situationally accessible memory)
what are the 2 types of memory in the dual representation theory?
situationally accessible memory (SAM) and verbally accessible memory (VAM)
aim to prevent the development of PTSD after the trauma =
psychological debriefing
based on confronting and experiencing the events related to the trauma =
exposure therapies
what are the methods used in cognitive restructuring?
evaluate and replace intrusive or negative automatic thoughts, evaluate and change dysfunctional beliefs
