Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Flashcards
Eustress
Normal and Beneficial
Distress
negative- causes physical and emotional problems
what sends distress signals to the hypothalamus?
amygdala
How does the fight or flight response work?
amygdala is activated and sends distress signal to hypothalamus. Epinephrine is released, increasing HR and BP, muscle tension, RR, and alertness
prolonged stress releases what hormones
corticoptropin releasing hormone and cortisol
what does corticotrophin and cortisol do during the fight or flight response?
diverts glucose to the brain from the muscles, prevents “rest and digest”
examples of individual traumatic events
illness, crime victim, abuse, etc.
examples of group traumatic events
natural disaster, war, terrorist attack, community loss, etc.
what is secondary trauma?
emotional effect that healthcare workers experience helping a person who has experienced primary traumatic stress
aka compassion fatigue
burnout
emotional exhaustion from institutional stress, lack of resources, and increased workload
prevention of secondary trauma
self care
adjustment disorder
a physiological response to an identifiable stressor, not a traumatic event but stressful
examples of adjustment disorder
divorce, financial struggles, loss of a job
reactive attachment disorders
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
Inhibited Reactive Attachment
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
disinhibited reactive attachment
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
what does experiencing trauma lead to?
intrusive reexperiencing of the initial trauma, avoidance, persistent negative alterations in cognitions and mood, alteration in arousal
acute stress disorder vs ptsd
ptsd is chronic in nature with periods of exacerbation during increased stress if it lasts less than one month
ptsd leads to increased activity in which system and can lead to what other disorders
limbic system
substance abuse, anxiety, etc.
examples of trauma that could lead to ptsd
sexual assault, domestic violence, sudden loss of a loved one, physical assault, combat or disasters, witness death or injury
risk factors for PTSD
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
Traumatic brain injury relationship with ptsd, give an example
TBIs are often experienced during traumatic experiences.
ex. TBI during deployment is the strongest predictor of post deployment ptsd sx, shaken baby syndrom
damage to which part of the brain effects impulse control and personality
frontal lobe
symptoms of ptsd
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)
most effective psychotherapy for ptsd
cognitive behavioral therapy
medications used for ptsd
antidepressants (SSRIs), sleep aids, anxiety medications
sertraline is FDA approved for ptsd tx
medical marijuana
how does exposure therapy help with ptsd symptoms
combats the avoidance behavior,
confronts feared situations/emotions/thoughts,
relaxation techniques to manage associated anxiety
interventions for traumatic disorder
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
how do grounding techniques work with ptsd
remind that they are in the present and safe, helps during flashback
how does recognizing avoidance behaviors
encourage socialization, social interactions are buffers against distress
