Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Question 1

Eustress

Answer 1

Normal and Beneficial

Question 2

Distress

Answer 2

negative- causes physical and emotional problems

Question 3

what sends distress signals to the hypothalamus?

Answer 3

amygdala

Question 4

How does the fight or flight response work?

Answer 4

amygdala is activated and sends distress signal to hypothalamus. Epinephrine is released, increasing HR and BP, muscle tension, RR, and alertness

Question 5

prolonged stress releases what hormones

Answer 5

corticoptropin releasing hormone and cortisol

Question 6

what does corticotrophin and cortisol do during the fight or flight response?

Answer 6

diverts glucose to the brain from the muscles, prevents “rest and digest”

Question 7

examples of individual traumatic events

Answer 7

illness, crime victim, abuse, etc.

Question 8

examples of group traumatic events

Answer 8

natural disaster, war, terrorist attack, community loss, etc.

Question 9

what is secondary trauma?

Answer 9

emotional effect that healthcare workers experience helping a person who has experienced primary traumatic stress
aka compassion fatigue

Question 10

burnout

Answer 10

emotional exhaustion from institutional stress, lack of resources, and increased workload

Question 11

prevention of secondary trauma

Answer 11

self care

Question 12

adjustment disorder

Answer 12

a physiological response to an identifiable stressor, not a traumatic event but stressful

Question 13

examples of adjustment disorder

Answer 13

divorce, financial struggles, loss of a job

Question 14

reactive attachment disorders

Answer 14

childhood disorder <5 years of age, response to childhood abuse or neglect. results in impaired relationships, inappropriate social relatedness, and minimal emotional response, emotional dysregulation

Question 15

Inhibited Reactive Attachment

Answer 15

do not build relationships with anyone, very cold and socially isolated, avoid therapeutic interactions, labile mood and explosive temper, respond more to play therapy and observation

Question 16

disinhibited reactive attachment

Answer 16

intense, unhealthy relationships built very quickly, seen more in girls than boys. In younger ages they form attachments with same-sex caregivers, have difficulty terminating the therapeutic relationships with caregivers, often act younger than their age

Question 17

what does experiencing trauma lead to?

Answer 17

intrusive reexperiencing of the initial trauma, avoidance, persistent negative alterations in cognitions and mood, alteration in arousal

Question 18

acute stress disorder vs ptsd

Answer 18

ptsd is chronic in nature with periods of exacerbation during increased stress if it lasts less than one month

Question 19

ptsd leads to increased activity in which system and can lead to what other disorders

Answer 19

limbic system
substance abuse, anxiety, etc.

Question 20

examples of trauma that could lead to ptsd

Answer 20

sexual assault, domestic violence, sudden loss of a loved one, physical assault, combat or disasters, witness death or injury

Question 21

risk factors for PTSD

Answer 21

younger age at time of traumatic event, female gender, personal or family history of psychiatric illness, lower education level, lower socioeconomic status,
military specific: high number of deployments, lower military rank, longer deployments, lack of social support

Question 22

Traumatic brain injury relationship with ptsd, give an example

Answer 22

TBIs are often experienced during traumatic experiences.
ex. TBI during deployment is the strongest predictor of post deployment ptsd sx, shaken baby syndrom

Question 23

damage to which part of the brain effects impulse control and personality

Answer 23

frontal lobe

Question 24

symptoms of ptsd

Answer 24

TRAUMA
traumatic event
re-experiencing the trauma (intrusive memories and nightmares)
avoiding things associated with the trauma; and emotional numbing
unable to function
for one month
increased arousal (hypervigilance, startle response)

Question 25

most effective psychotherapy for ptsd

Answer 25

cognitive behavioral therapy

Question 26

medications used for ptsd

Answer 26

antidepressants (SSRIs), sleep aids, anxiety medications
sertraline is FDA approved for ptsd tx
medical marijuana

Question 27

how does exposure therapy help with ptsd symptoms

Answer 27

combats the avoidance behavior,
confronts feared situations/emotions/thoughts,
relaxation techniques to manage associated anxiety

Question 28

interventions for traumatic disorder

Answer 28

refer to patient as survivor not victim, identify triggers for flashbacks, stay with the patient if they are experiencing flashbacks or nightmares, encourage journaling of feelings, utilize distractions and relaxation techniques, encourage grounding techniques, help patient recognize avoidance behaviors, ensure the patient meets physiological needs, closely monitor for s/s of suicidal ideation, use reframing, decrease or eliminate caffeine intake

Question 29

how do grounding techniques work with ptsd

Answer 29

remind that they are in the present and safe, helps during flashback

Question 30

how does recognizing avoidance behaviors

Answer 30

encourage socialization, social interactions are buffers against distress