Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders (Tut 502 & PB Flashcards
What is adjustment disorder (AD) and criteria for it
occurs when someone has difficulty coping with or
adjusting to a specific life stressor—the reactions to the stressor are disproportionate
to the severity or intensity of the event or situation. Common stressors such as interpersonal or family problems, divorce, academic failure, harassment or bullying, loss
of a job, or financial problems may lead to an AD
Exposure to an identifiable stressor that results in the onset of significant
emotional or behavioral symptoms that occur within 3 months of the event.
2. Emotional distress and behavioral symptoms that are out of proportion to the
severity of the stressor (normal bereavement is excluded from the AD diagnosis)
and result in significant impairment in social, academic, or work-related functioning, or other life activities.
3. These symptoms last no longer than 6 months after the stressor or consequences
of the stressor have ended.
Define a stressor
an external event or
situation that places a physical or
psychological demand on a person
Define stress
the internal psychological or
physiological response to a stressor
What 4 common outcomes occur after exposure to traumatic events
Resilience: relatively stable functioning and few symptoms from trauma
Recovery: initial distress with reduction in symptoms over time
Delayed symptoms: few initial symptoms following increased symptoms over time
Chronic symptoms: consistantly high trauma related symptoms that begin soon after event
Define acute stress disorder ASD
A disorder characterized by flashbacks hyper vigilance which is the state of ongoing anxiety in which the person is constantly tense and alert for threats and avoidance where symptoms that last up to 1 month after exposure to a traumatic event.
Requires presence of at least nine symptoms from any symptoms cluster
What is post traumatic stress disorder PTSD
Disorder characterized by flashbacks hyper vigilance avoidance and other symptoms that last for more than a month and occur as a result of exposure to extreme trauma
Requires that the individual exhibit one or two symptoms from each symptoms cluster
State the major symptom clusters used to diagnose trauma related disorders
Intrusion symptoms: intrusive thoughts including distress recollection nightmares flashbacks. Psychological distress triggered by external or internal reminders of the trauma physical symptoms like increased heart rate or sweating
Avoidance: of thoughts feelings physical reminders Associated with trauma as well as places events or objects that trigger distressing memories of the experience.
Negative alterations in mood or cognition: difficulty remembering details of event persistent negative views about oneself or the world distorted cognition leading to self blame it blaming others frequent negative emotions limited interest in important activities feeling emotionally numb detached or estranged from others persistent inability to experience positive emotions.
Arousal and changes in reactivity: feeling of irritability that may result in verbal or Physical aggression engaging in reckless or self destructive behavior hyper vigilance involving constantly remaining alert for danger heightened physiological reactivity such as exaggerated startle response difficulty concentrating sleep disturbances
Depersonalisation: feeling detached from one’s body or thoughts
Derealization: a persistent sense of unreality
What are some triggers for ASD and PTSD
Combat
Sexual assaults
Violent crime or domestic violence
Sexual harassment
Natural disasters
Car accident work related accident or situations that produce a fear of severe injuries or death
What are the biological factors that lead to ASD and PTSD
Amygdala: brain structure associated with the processing expression and memory of emotions especially anger and fear
Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis which is the system involved in stress and trauma reactions and regulations of body processes such as fight or flight response
Epinephrine is the hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to physical or mental stress
Cortisol is the hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress
Fear extinction: elimination
of conditioned fear responses
associated with a trauma
What factors influence the psychological dimension of forming PTSD
Preexisting conditions such as anxiety and depression and negative emotions such as hostility and anger.
A tendency to generalize trauma-related stimuli to other situations nd to avoid situations associated with the
trauma can maintain the fear response because the person is not able to learn that such situations are not dangerous; in other words, there is less opportunity for fear extinction
What are the methods of psychotherapy used to treat PTSD
Prolonged exposure therapy: involves imaginary and real-life exposure to trauma related cues
CBT and TF CBT uses combo of CBT techniques and trauma sensitive principles which address underlying dysfunctional thinking and equipping them with coping mechanisms like mindfulness
Eye movements desensitisation and reprocessing EMDR works by patient visualising their trauma while following therapists finger replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.
What is an interalising disorder
Condition involving emotional symptoms directed inward
What are attachment disorders
Childhood stressor and trauma related disorders when symptoms are apparent before age 5 and when early circumstances prevent child from forming stable attachment
Reactive attachment disorder RAD is a trauma related disorder characterized by inhibited avoidant social behaviour and reluctance to seek or respond to attention or nurturing
Disinhibited social engagement disorders DSED is a trauma related disorders characterised by indiscriminate superficial attachment and desperation for interpersonal contact
What potential stressors lead to adjustment disorder
Interpersonal problems
Recurrent stressors
Continuous stressors
Stressors due to developmental events
Stressors related to the death of a loved one
