Responses to Trauma

Question 1

Type 1 vs Type 2 trauma?

Answer 1

type 1: single events, sudden unexpected

type 2: repetitive trauma, 3x risk of PTSD vs type 1 trauma

Question 2

When the brain is under threat activity shifts from the ___1__ to ____2___
There is increased activation of the ____3_____ in those who have experienced trauma and ___4____ atrophy

Answer 2

1) cortex (PFC)
2) brainstem- superior colliculus and PAG
3) amygdala and other limbic areas
4) hippocampal

Question 3

Why may individuals find it difficult to talk about trauma?

Answer 3

trauma can actually deactivate Brocas area (area responsible for generation of speech)
when the individual goes to access the traumatic personal memories Brocas area deactivates

Question 4

Explain the science behind the timeless quality of traumatic memory?

Answer 4

right hemispheric lateralisation may explain the timeless quality of traumatic memory ie flashbacks can feel like they are physically happening in that moment because the right hemisphere doesn’t have a time sense

Question 5

PTSD is _____1________ adaptation to severe traumatic stress

PTSD is not a stress response per se but _____2_______

PTSD is not ____3_____ response to trauma

PTSD is not the ____4_____ response to trauma

Most trauma exposed people ______5________

Answer 5

1) not
2) overwhelming of the stress response
3) inevitable
4) only
5) do not develop PTSD

Question 6

Criteria for diagnosis of PTSD?

Answer 6

Traumatic event (no longer need emotional response to trauma)
Intrusive symptoms (1 or more)
Avoidance symptoms (1 or more)
Increased arousal and reactivity (2 or more)
Functional impairment should be present and symptoms need to be present for at least 1 month

Question 7

Treatment of PTSD?

Answer 7

1st line = CBT
2nd line = EMDR eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (to do with activating superior colliculus)
not much evidence for medication but can be used for specific symptoms or treatment of comorbidity

Question 8

In trauma why do we need alternative options to CBT?

Answer 8

CBT is top down pressing (thoughts influence feelings) so will not address the brainstem led responses to trauma, also talking therapy is difficult if Brocas area is deactivated