Trauma and PTSD Flashcards
Define PTSD and list the main cluster of symptoms
[for 4 weeks]
Experience of a severe traumatic event of an exceptionally threatening nature, which is likely to cause distress in almost anyone
Main Symptoms:
- re-experiencing (re-living)
- hyperarousal
- avoidance
Examples of re-experiencing (re-living)
- “flashbacks”
- recurring memories associ w/ traumatic event
- recurring dreams of event
Examples of hyperarousal
- difficulty falling asleep
- irritability and outbursts of anger
- concentration difficulties
- exaggerated startle response (noise/fireworks}
Examples of avoidance
- efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings assoc w/ trauma
- efforts to avoid activities, places, ppl that arouse trauma recollections
- feeling detached (from others)
- reduced interest in participating in important activities
DSM-V: four factor model for negative alterations in cognition and mood:?
- persistent negative cognitions about self, others, world
- persistent negative emotional states
- diminished interest in significant activities
- inability to experience positive emotions
Examples of of trauma
- combat trauma
- torture
- rape
- terrorism
- witnessing violent deaths (e.g. war)
How to categorise trauma?
- Type I: single traumatic event
- Type II: prolonged and repeated trauma
- Interpersonal vs natural disaster
- intergenerational trauma
- concept of catastrophic trauma
Aetiology of PTSD?
[unclear why others develop and others don’t]
Correlations of PTSD aetiology in the literature
- heritability 30%- Goldberg et al 1990
- impaired HPA axis sensitivitity- Yehuda et al, 1991
- reduced hippocampal volume
Prevalence of PTSD
- 8% of general population (Kessler et al, 1995)
- 14% in general practice (Gomez-Beneyto et al, 2006)
- 31% of Vietnman war veterans had lifetime PTSD (Kulka et al, 1990)
NB: PTSD more prevalent in victims of interpersonal trauma rather than disaster victims
Relevance of comorbidities in PTSD?
- Alcohol abuse: M-52%,F-27% (Kessler et al, 1995)
- Drug misuse (34%)
- MDD (48%)
- physical health problems (e.g. stomach ulcer) more prevalent than general population
Treatment for PTSD?
- watchful waiting if mild/moderate (for first 4 weeks)
- pharmacotherapy (mirtazapine, paroxetine, setraline, olanzapine)
- psychological interventions (trauma-focussed CBT, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
NB: no evidence of benefit of a single session debriefing
PTSD history taking: key features?
- Current mental state
- past psych history
- developmental history
- employment history
- substance use history
- risk to self and others
- what led to breakdown of a relationship
- why denied access to son
Management of PTSD following treatment?
- severe PTSD: engagement problems
- ongoing evaluation of risk to self and others
- treat comorbidity (substances misuse)
- physical health checks
- social support
- voluntary work/ employment
- carer’s assessment
Prognosis of PTSD?
- 56% improve after psychotherapy (not meeting diagnostic criteria)
- 38% contintue to have residual symptoms
- highest remission rates seen in natural disaster survivors (60%)