PTSD

Question 1

when is a diagnosis of PTSD only considered?

Answer 1

if individual has experienced extreme trauma prior to the symptoms

Question 2

what extreme trauma may have occurred?

Answer 2

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)

Question 3

give some examples of traumas that can cause PTSD

Answer 3

domestic/sexual violence, shooting, burglary, natural disasters, car accident

Question 4

why do some people who have experienced a trauma not develop PTSD?

Answer 4

may not have psychological or biological vulnerability factors

Question 5

what are some features of PTSD in the DSM-5?

Answer 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

Question 6

list the different explanations for PTSD

Answer 6

biological factors, vulnerability factors, conditioning theory, dual-representation theory

Question 7

what do studies on war veterans suggest?

Answer 7

that PTSD has a genetic element

Question 8

what is the heritability component of PTSD estimated at?

Answer 8

30%

Question 9

what area of the brain is smaller and underdeveloped in PTSD sufferers?

Answer 9

hippocampus (critical role in memory)

Question 10

failure of the _______ ______ cortex to control ______ activity so can’t process emotions properly

Answer 10

medial prefrontal, amygdala

Question 11

there is a ______ risk for PTSD if people feel overly responsible for the traumatic event

Answer 11

higher

Question 12

what are some of the vulnerability factors?

Answer 12

developmental (difficulties in childhood), being highly anxious before event, people with mental defeat (negative views of themselves and the world)

Question 13

people with _____ IQ have better coping strategies than people with ____ IQ

Answer 13

higher, low

Question 14

the trauma becomes associated at the time of the trauma with situational cues associated with place and time of trauma = what theory?

Answer 14

conditioning theory

Question 15

when the situational cues happen in the future what do they elicit in PTSD sufferers?

Answer 15

arousal and fear that was experienced during the trauma

Question 16

sufferers develop ______ and ______ avoidance responses that distract them from fully processing the cues. what does this not allow to be forgotten?

Answer 16

cognitive, physical. doesn’t allow associations between the cues and trauma to be forgotten

Question 17

what reinforces and maintains PTSD symptoms?

Answer 17

avoidance

Question 18

memory that comes from senses e.g. sounds and smells that can trigger flashbacks

Answer 18

SAM (situationally accessible memory)

Question 19

what are the 2 types of memory in the dual representation theory?

Answer 19

situationally accessible memory (SAM) and verbally accessible memory (VAM)

Question 20

aim to prevent the development of PTSD after the trauma =

Answer 20

psychological debriefing

Question 21

based on confronting and experiencing the events related to the trauma =

Answer 21

exposure therapies

Question 22

what are the methods used in cognitive restructuring?

Answer 22

evaluate and replace intrusive or negative automatic thoughts, evaluate and change dysfunctional beliefs