Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

A mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, causing persistent symptoms that interfere with daily life.

The re-experiencing of traumatic events through flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts.

Avoiding situations, people, or places that trigger reminders of the traumatic event.

Experiencing negative emotions, difficulty recalling details of the trauma, and feeling detached from others.

Increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, exaggerated startle responses, and sleep disturbances.

An injury to the brain that can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

A mild TBI characterized by a brief period of altered consciousness and possible memory loss.

A tool evaluating the level of consciousness after a brain injury by assessing eye opening, verbal response, and motor response.

The collection of blood within the skull following a brain injury.

Damaging the delicate nerve fibers in the brain, possibly caused by shaking, force or acceleration/deceleration trauma.

The hippocampus is essential for forming new memories. Damage to this area makes it hard to create or retrieve memories and can contribute to memory problems associated with trauma.

The prefrontal cortex manages executive functions, emotions, and decision-making. Injury to this area can lead to issues with planning, controlling impulses, and regulating emotions, which are common in PTSD.

Stress hormones, like cortisol, can be abnormally high in both brain injury and PTSD, leading to a cascade of negative effects on brain function and mental health.

Both brain injury and PTSD can cause long-term cognitive problems like memory issues, attention difficulties, and trouble with planning or decision-making.

Trauma-induced stress can act like a 'double whammy,' making PTSD symptoms worse and increasing the risk of brain changes over time.

People who have had brain injuries may be more likely to develop PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event.

Stress related to living with a brain injury can increase the likelihood of developing PTSD, adding to the overall burden.

Emotional difficulties, including anxiety and depression, are common after brain injuries and can lead to the development of PTSD.

Treatments for PTSD often include therapies like CBT and prolonged exposure, and/or medication like antidepressants and anxiety meds.

TBI treatment focuses on immediate medical care to stop swelling and repair damage, but ongoing rehabilitation is vital for recovery.

A mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, causing persistent symptoms like intrusive memories, avoidance, negative thoughts and feelings, and changes in physical arousal.

Brain trauma refers to an injury to the brain caused by external forces like falls, car accidents, or blunt force trauma, resulting in varying degrees of damage and cognitive impairment.

A mild brain injury characterized by a brief period of altered consciousness and possible memory loss, often caused by a blow to the head or a fall.

A key feature of PTSD in which individuals repeatedly experience involuntary memories, nightmares, or flashbacks of the traumatic event, leading to distress.

A coping mechanism in PTSD where individuals avoid situations, people, or places that trigger reminders of the traumatic event, often leading to social isolation.

The severity of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is determined by the force of the impact, the location of the head injury, the presence of pressure within the skull, and other related injuries.

Brain trauma can disrupt the brain's communication pathways and impair cognitive functions, leading to difficulties with memory, concentration, language and emotional control.

Brain trauma can increase the risk of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by altering brain pathways and neurotransmitter systems involved in emotional regulation.

Individuals with a history of brain trauma may struggle to effectively process and store memories, potentially contributing to the intrusive and distressing memories characteristic of PTSD.

Brain trauma can impact individuals' capacity to cope with stressful events, making them more likely to develop PTSD.