Response to trauma Flashcards
is an acute stress reaction considered normal or abnornal
normal response to a sudden stressful or traumatic event
what is the course of an ASR
symptoms will develop shortly after the event and last 2 days
what is acute stress disorder
when the normal bodily response to trauma becomes prolonged (2 days to 4 weeks)
what are some presentations of ASR
increased arousal - anxiety, irritability, restlessness
dissociative symptoms - shock, denial, amnesia, emotional numbness
reexperiencing - flashbacks, dreams, images
cognitive - depression, guilt
what is the management of an ASR
emotional support/talking about event/watchful waiting
short course of benzos
psychological therapy is severe
what is adjustment disorder
failure to adjust to new life circumstances, often following a traumatic event - symptoms need to develop within 3 months of event and resolve within 6 months
what is PTSD
severe and delayed psychological disturbance following an exceptionally traumatic event
what is acute PTSD
symptoms arise within 3 months of event
what is chronic PTSD
symptoms arise after 3 months of event
PTSD shows ____ cortisol levels
low
PTSD shows ____ atrophy
hippocampal
PTSD shows _____ activity of amygdala and other limbic areas
increased
what are some s/s of PTSD
re-experience - nightmares/flashbacks
avoidance - refusal to talk about events, avoid location/people
hyperarousal - irritable, anxious, restless, startle response
emotional numbing and detachment
dissociation
what comorbidities might someone with PTSD experience
depression
substance misuse
self harm
other anxiety
what is the treatment of PTSD
EMDR
trauma focused CBT
what is EDMR
eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing
what are some pharmacological treatments of PTSD if therapy fails
SSRI - paroxetine
mirtazapine, amitriptyline
prazosin
what is type 1 trauma
single incident, unexpected
what is type 2 trauma
complex trauma - repetitive trauma, betrayal of trust
which type has a higher risk of PTSD
type 2
PTSD has the strongest assoc. with ___ of the anxiety disorders
suicide
what 2 areas of the brain are of interest in PTSD
hippocampus
amygdala
what is the DSM V criteria for PTSD
traumatic event + the following symptoms for 1 month with distress and impairment in social or occupational functioning
1 or more intrusive symptoms
1 or more avoidance symptom
2 or more increased arousal and reactivity
1 or more negative alerations in cognitions and mood
does there need to be an emotional response at the time of the event for a person to develop PTSD
no
what are dissociative symptoms
depersonalisation
derealisation
