Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders

Question 1

DSM-5 POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER criteria

Answer 1

A. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the following ways:

• directly experiencing the traumatic event(s)
• witnessing the event(s) as it occurred to others
• learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend
• experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s)

B. Intrusion symptoms (1+)
- memories, dreams, flashbacks of the event

C. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s) (1+)
- memories etc., external reminders of the event

D. Negative alterations in cognitions and mood (2+)
- fear, negative beliefs about self, others, the world

E. Changes in arousal and reactivity (2+)
- anger, recklessness, self-destructive acts, sleep disturbance

Question 2

Duration of criteria for POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Answer 2

Duration of the disturbance (criteria B, C, D and E) is more than 1 month.

Question 3

What criteria must you meet in order to be diagnosed with POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER?

Answer 3

Criteria A - exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence.

Question 4

Time frame of ACUTE STRESS DISORDER

Answer 4

Occurs within 3 days to 4 weeks of traumatic event.

Posttraumatic reaction lasting up to 4 weeks (if it persists after 4 weeks, then change the diagnosis to PTSD)

Question 5

How many people diagnosed with ACUTE STRESS DISORDER get further diagnosed to PTSD?

Answer 5

Around 60-70% of people

Question 6

How many people recover from ACUTE STRESS DISORDER?

Answer 6

Only around 30%

Question 7

How are ACUTE STRESS DISORDERS symptoms different from PTSD?

Answer 7

Very similar symptoms to PTSD.

But has more emphasis on dissociative symptoms: depersonalisation; derealisation; numbing; reduced awareness; dissociative amnesia.

Question 8

How many people experience traumatic events?

Answer 8

Approximately 60%

Question 9

What is PTSD 12-month prevalence?

Answer 9

1-4%

Question 10

Percent of women and men that develop PTSD following trauma exposure?

Answer 10

About 10-20% of women and 6-8% of men.

Question 11

What percent of war veterans develop PTSD?

Answer 11

About 30-40%

Question 12

What are biological treatments for PTSD?

Answer 12

Benzodiazepines, Antidepressants

Question 13

What are cognitive behavioural therapies for PTSD?

Answer 13

Psychoeducation; anxiety management techniques; cognitive restructuring; prolonged exposure

Question 14

What is the most effective treatment for PTSD?

Answer 14

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)