Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders

Question 1

What are the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder? (TRAAUMA)

Answer 1

Traumatic event: witnessed or experienced or occurred to dearest or exposure repeatedly to its aversive details. Re-experience one of following intrusion symptoms: memories, nightmares, flashbacks, psychological distress or physiological reaction to cues symbolizing the traumatic event. Avoidance of memories, thoughts, feelings of the traumatic event or its reminders. Alterations in cognitions and mood negatively: forgetting, mislabelling, blaming, no positive emotions, always negative emotions, anhedonia, detachment (two of seven). Unable to function or cause distress. Month or more of symptoms. Arousal and reactivity increased with two of the following: irritability, recklessness, hypervigilance, startling, concentration and sleep disturbances

Question 2

What are symptoms of intrusion? (R3D2)

Answer 2

Recollections, Recurring (flashbacks, dissociative reactions) and Reactivity (physiological) in response to cues of the traumatic event; Dreams (distressing) and Distress (psychological) from exposure to internal or external cues.

Question 3

What are symptoms of avoidance and alterations in cognition? (AFRAID)

Answer 3

Avoiding internal or external stimuli associated with the trauma (2). False cognitions (mislabelling and blaming). Recall difficulty. Affect (no positive, always negative emotions). Interest diminished. Detachment.

Question 4

What are arousal symptoms of PTSD? (SCARRE)

Answer 4

Sleep disturbance. Concentration difficulty. Anger (outbursts or irritability). Really vigilant. Reckless or self-destructive behavior. Exaggerated startle response.

Question 5

How many symptoms are needed to diagnose PTSD?

Answer 5

Intrusion: 1+. Avoidance: 1+. Alterations in cognition: 2+. Arousal: 2+.

Question 6

When can PTSD be diagnosed?

Answer 6

After 1 month of symptoms.

Question 7

What are the criteria for adjustment disorder? (EMO-TES)

Answer 7

Emotional or behavioral symptoms within 3 months of onset of stressor(s) with at least 1: Marked distress in excess of what would be expected from exposure to the stressor (or) Occupational, academic or social functioning is significantly impaired.

Termination of symptoms within 6 months of termination of stressor or its consequences. Exclusion of another mental disorder or exacerbation of pre-existing mental disorder ruled out. Symptoms do not represent bereavement.