PTSD (ps2008- week 7)

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the required symptoms for the diagnosis of PTSD?

Consistent feelings of joy

Frequent positive thoughts about the self

Inability to recall key features of the trauma (correct)

Emotional stability with no changes in mood

Which of the following is NOT part of the reactivity symptoms for PTSD?

Aggression

Decreased interest (correct)

Difficulty sleeping

Hypervigilance

For how long must symptoms be present to qualify for PTSD?

At least 2 weeks

At least 6 months

At least 3 months

At least 1 month (correct)

What characterizes depersonalisation in PTSD?

Feeling disconnected from one's body or mental processes Signup and view all the answers

What element is NOT associated with a higher risk of developing PTSD?

Positive self-cognition Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of Complex PTSD as described in the content?

Marked irritability, anger, and numbness Signup and view all the answers

What is the male to female ratio for PTSD prevalence?

2.4:1 Signup and view all the answers

Which situation is likely associated with the development of PTSD?

Experiencing repeated trauma with high interpersonal intensity Signup and view all the answers

What primary area of the brain is associated with dysregulated stress response in individuals with PTSD?

Amygdala Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone release is primarily associated with long-term stress responses as regulated by the HPA axis?

Cortisol Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes is NOT directly linked to the activity of the hippocampus in PTSD patients?

Hyperactivity in stress response Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a potential vulnerability factor for developing PTSD related to hormonal activity?

Reduced cortisol levels Signup and view all the answers

Which biological factor is cited as having an approximately 30-40% heritability concerning the risk of PTSD?

Genetic predispositions Signup and view all the answers

The reduction in which neurotransmitter has been linked to increased startle responses and fear memories in PTSD sufferers?

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

Research involving which animal has discovered the potential for learned aversion affecting gene expression in offspring?

Mice Signup and view all the answers

What role does hypervigilance play in individuals suffering from PTSD?

An outcome of dysregulated stress response Signup and view all the answers

What does hyperactivity of the amygdala potentially suggest about an individual's predisposition to PTSD?

It may predispose individuals to develop PTSD. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to the risk of developing PTSD?

Positive mental health. Signup and view all the answers

What does the avoidance of the conditioned stimulus (CS) in PTSD primarily lead to?

Maintenance through negative reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

According to the cognitive model of PTSD, which aspect significantly influences a person's risk of developing PTSD?

Interpretation of the traumatic event. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about traumatic memories is accurate?

Retrieving any element of the memory recalls the entire memory. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes traumatic loads in relation to PTSD?

They suggest that increased trauma exposure heightens vulnerability to PTSD. Signup and view all the answers

What could be an outcome of the mental defeat framework proposed by Elhers & Clarke?

Increased sense of vulnerability and victimhood. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two memory systems distinguished by Brewin (2001)?

Verbally accessible memory & situationally accessible memory Signup and view all the answers

Which is the primary aim of trauma-focused CBT in the treatment of PTSD?

To change dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is associated with peri-trauma that can increase vulnerability to PTSD?

Dissociation during the traumatic event. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of PTSD, what role does previous stress exposure play?

It is a major risk factor for PTSD upon re-exposure to trauma. Signup and view all the answers

In EMDR therapy, what mechanism is suggested to be involved in the process?

Working memory engagement Signup and view all the answers

What form can exposure therapy for PTSD take?

Gradual exposure or rapid flooding Signup and view all the answers

How does gender influence PTSD susceptibility according to the content?

Women are twice as likely to experience PTSD, though findings are mixed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable characteristic of situationally accessible memory (SAM) in PTSD?

It consists of brief subconscious snapshots. Signup and view all the answers

What is the median duration delay for seeking treatment after the onset of PTSD, according to Wang et al (2005)?

12 years Signup and view all the answers

How has the classification of PTSD changed since its introduction?

It is now recognized as a trauma and stress-related disorder. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main differences between Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and PTSD?

PTSD symptoms must persist for at least 1 month, while ASD symptoms last for less than 1 month. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is associated with Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder?

Extreme social impulsiveness with no awareness of boundaries. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of trauma exposure is essential for the diagnosis of PTSD according to DSM guidelines?

Indirect exposure to aversive details of trauma. Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom must a person experience to be diagnosed with PTSD?

More than one intrusive symptom such as flashbacks or nightmares. Signup and view all the answers

What type of stressors may lead to Reactive Attachment Disorder in children?

Prolonged abuse or neglect. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Adjustment Disorder typically diagnosed in adulthood?

It develops due to difficulties adjusting to everyday life stressors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding the symptoms of PTSD?

Symptoms are guaranteed to resolve when the environment changes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Relatively new disorder (1980s)
Formerly described as "shell shock" in WWII
Believed to be only related to war environments
Now considered a trauma and stress-related disorder, not an anxiety disorder
Symptoms believed to disappear once environment changes

Reactive Attachment Disorder

Characterized by childhood traumatic stressors
Prolonged abuse or neglect
Lack of attachment to a caregiver
Children might shy away from interactions and avoid eye contact
Difficulty in developing attachments

Outgoing children
Extremely social and impulsive
Unable to distinguish between appropriate boundaries of strangers

Adjustment Disorders

Diagnosed in adulthood
Developed through difficult adjusting to everyday life stressors

PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder

Related to life-threatening events
Element of exposure to death or threat to physical, mental, or sexual integrity
PTSD diagnosed after experiencing symptoms for at least 1 month
Acute stress disorder diagnosed in people with symptoms for less than 1 month

PTSD Symptoms

Intrusive symptoms (unwanted memories, nightmares, flashbacks)
Dissociative reactions, intense psychological distress
Avoidance of trauma-related thoughts, feelings, or external reminders
Mood/thought process changes (inability to recall trauma details, negative thought pattern, self-blame)
Arousal/Reactivity (recklessness, aggression, hypervigilance, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping)
Dissociative subtypes
- Depersonalization: discontinuity in self-experience
- Derealization: discontinuity in environmental experience

Epidemiology

Kessler et al. (2017): 70% of people experience a lifetime trauma
Lifetime prevalence of PTSD is 2.2-8.8%
30% prevalence among veterans
Higher prevalence in women (2.4:1 ratio compared to men)

Other Features of Trauma (Complex PTSD)

Duration of trauma
Frequency of trauma
Perceived lethality of trauma
Emotional dysregulation (irritability, anger)
Negative self-cognition
Relationship difficulties
High interpersonal intensity and severity of exposure

Pathophysiology

Dysregulation of the stress response (amygdala)
Hyperactivity in amygdala
Hypervigilance
Reduced activity/volume of hippocampus
Intrusive memories
Difficulty encoding memories

Biological Risk Factors

Heritability: 30-40%
Elevated norepinephrine and dopamine
Reduced cortisol
Epigenetic changes (how experiences change gene expression)
Hippocampus, prefrontal, and anterior cingulate cortex underactivity

Environmental Risk Factors

Cumulative trauma (more trauma = more vulnerability to PTSD)
Previous mental health issues
Gender (Women more likely to experience PTSD)

Catastrophic inference of events (interpreting events as more severe)

Conditioning Theory

Neutral stimuli become associated with a fear response
Explains PTSD triggers
Avoidance maintains fear response

Dual Representation Theory

Two memory systems: Verbally accessible (conscious) and situationally accessible (unconscious)
Explains PTSD flashbacks
Need for treatment to transform situationally accessible memories into verbally accessible ones

Treatment Options

Trauma-focused CBT
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Exposure Therapy

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Description

This quiz explores various psychological disorders, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Reactive Attachment Disorder, and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder. Dive into the symptoms, causes, and implications of these trauma and stress-related conditions. Gain a better understanding of how these disorders impact individuals and their relationships.