PTSD & CPTSD Flashcards
PTSD
Processed & expressed through emotional, affective, cognitive, behavioral, neurological & existential dimmenstions
What are considered triggers for PTSD (as defined by the DSM4)
- Serious accident
- Physical attack
- Natural disasters
- Being threatened
- Almost seriously injured
- Witness someone being killed
- Witness someone seriously injured
What needs to occur for PTSD to happen?
Activating event must happen
What are the 2 reactions in PTSD?
- Perception of an actual, attempted or threatened death or serious injury of self or others.
- Emotional response. Processed as heightened fear, horror and the perception of helplessness
What are the 2 phases of PTSD?
- Each must be of at least 1 month of duration.
1. Avoidance Phase
2. Intrusive Phase
What is the avoidance phase in PTSD?
- 3+
- Attempt by survivor to numb the pain by emotional, behavioral & cognitive distancing
Behavioral distancing: Avoidance of interest & participation in meaningful activities, people & places associated w/ the critical event.
Cognitive distancing: Withdrawal from thoughts, memories, ideas, future planning & investment in long-term goals.
Emotional distance: Reduced expressions of love, pleasure, interest, especially with co-workers, relatives, friends, spouse or significant other.
What is the Intrusive phase in PTSD?
- 2 OR combined intrusive symptoms
- Increasing arousal & excitability when the event is repeated in some cognitive, behavioral, emotional, existential venue in the survivor, that was not present prior to that traumatic event
SYMPTOMS:
a. Insomnia
b. Disruptive sleep
c. Lack of attention or concentration
d. exaggerated startle response
e. hyper vigilance
f. reactive anger, acting out.
What other symptoms must be present in PTSD?
- Clinically significant impairment & distress in social, occupational or other area of functioning.
Acute symptoms in PTSD
Exist less than 3 months
Chronic symptoms in PTSD
Symptoms exist longer than 3mo.
Delayed onset symptoms in PTSD
Symptoms don’t emerge until 6mo. after traumatic event
Identity role/mode
One dissassocates, goes to a different mind set. Mental, emotional, intelligence state changes/shifts.
Quantum psychic moment
Breach of what is expected. Impact of traumatic loss.
Dis-enfranchised
Loss that isn’t viewed as potent by community or culture.
(i.e: Cop feeling bad about the death of a homeless man and the cops partner says that it isn’t that big of a deal, that life goes on).
Alexthymia
Emotionless way of presenting the self.
