Response to trauma Flashcards
What is a centrifugal traumatic event? (and give an example)
Man-made
eg car crash
What is a centripetal traumatic event? (and give an example)
Natural disaster
eg earthquake
An unexpected single incident trauma is type 1/type 2 trauma?
Type 1
Repetitive trauma (eg ongoing abuse) is type 1/type 2 trauam?
Type 2
If threat is distant or inescapable, we flee/freeze ?
Freeze
If threat is nearby or escapable, we flee/freeze?
Flee
Which areas of the brain are responsible for active and passive defence responses?
Superior colliculi and periaqueductal gray (PAG)
How do we separate the pathological from the normal reactions to trauma?
By severity, frequency, duration
PTSD - definition
Post traumatic stress disorder
Overwhelming of the stress response
PTSD has a stronger association with suicide than any other anxiety disorder. True or false?
True
In PTSD, cortisol levels are HIGH/LOW ?
Low
PTSD - impairment of emotional event memory is related to damage of the ?
Amygdala
PTSD - acute onset
Less than 3 months
PTSD - chronic onset
Over 3 months
PTSD - clinical features (intrusive phenomena)
Recurrent distressing recollections
Nightmares
Flashbacks
PTSD - clinical features (avoidant and emotional numbing symptoms)
Avoidance of thinking/talking about event
Amnesia
Loss of interest in activities
PTSD - clinical features (hyperarousal symptoms)
Sleep disturbance
Irritability
Concentration difficulties
Hypervigillance
PTSD - management if mild and less than 4 weeks post trauma
Watchful waiting
PTSD - management
Psychological therapy (CBT)
Drug therapy should only be used in PTSD if there is failure to respond to psychological therapy. True or false?
True
