Understanding Stress Disorders

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Questions and Answers

What distinguishes Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

ASD symptoms last longer than a month.

ASD is a response to chronic trauma.

PTSD is classified as a short-term response to trauma.

PTSD requires symptoms to persist for more than a month. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a common symptom associated with Acute Stress Disorder?

Withdrawal from social interactions

Emotional numbness or detachment

Visual hallucinations (correct)

Sleep disruptions

Which risk factor is associated with an increased likelihood of developing ASD or PTSD?

Past exposure to minor traumas

Strong social support network

High resilience to stress

Family history of anxiety or depression (correct)

Which treatment modality focuses on desensitizing trauma responses for ASD and PTSD?

Exposure therapy Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of the environment might individuals with ASD experience?

Foggy or visually altered perception Signup and view all the answers

Which personality disorder is characterized by excessive emotionality and a need for attention?

Histrionic Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What personality disorder includes symptoms such as instability in self-image and intense fear of abandonment?

Borderline Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits is NOT associated with Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Excessive devotion to work Signup and view all the answers

Individuals with which personality disorder may exhibit indirect resistance to authority?

Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which personality disorder is marked by extreme sensitivity to criticism and a desire for social connection despite avoidance?

Avoidant Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder might be exemplified by reckless spending and substance abuse due to impulsivity?

Borderline Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Preoccupation with order and perfection Signup and view all the answers

Which personality disorder is primarily associated with persistent distrust of others' motives?

Paranoid Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of Delayed Expression syndrome?

Signs/symptoms may initially be insufficient for diagnosis. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traumas is commonly associated with Complex PTSD?

Growing up in a family with domestic abuse. Signup and view all the answers

Which phase of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing involves asking victims to share their thoughts and feelings about the incident?

Reaction phase Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Complex PTSD from simple PTSD?

Complex PTSD symptoms are often more extreme and longer-lasting. Signup and view all the answers

What has been noted about the effectiveness of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing?

There is little evidence supporting its effectiveness. Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is more likely associated with Complex PTSD than with simple PTSD?

Preoccupation with traumatic history. Signup and view all the answers

What is one common misconception about the nature of Complex PTSD?

It is the result of one-time incidents. Signup and view all the answers

What could be a psychological effect of experiencing Complex PTSD?

Altered views of relationships and trust. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic behavior commonly exhibited by individuals with Dependent Personality Disorder?

Clingy behavior stemming from a need for reassurance Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment is identified as the only data-supported intervention for Borderline Personality Disorder?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Signup and view all the answers

What psychological impact can self-mutilation have for individuals experiencing intense emotional pain?

It provides a sense of control or relief. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a risk factor associated with developing Borderline Personality Disorder?

Childhood experiences of physical or sexual abuse Signup and view all the answers

What common treatment approach is often used for episodes of abandonment depression in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder?

Short hospital stays Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely outcome for individuals who have not mastered separation/individuation from their primary caregiver?

Struggles with interpersonal relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which type of medication may be prescribed cautiously due to a high risk of overdose in treating Borderline Personality Disorder?

Antidepressants Signup and view all the answers

What common experience might lead to dissociation in individuals facing overwhelming stress?

Sense of detachment from reality Signup and view all the answers

Which group of males is noted as being particularly vulnerable to eating disorders?

Males in sports that emphasize thinness or weight control Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of dieting as a weight-loss method?

Quick regain of lost weight Signup and view all the answers

What is the average percentage of body weight loss shown in clinical trials for Semaglutide/Tirzepatide?

15% Signup and view all the answers

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by a specific type of body-image distortion. What is this distortion?

Feeling fat and believing one is fat despite being underweight Signup and view all the answers

What defines the 'Restrictive Type' of eating habits in Anorexia Nervosa?

Having obsessive thinking about food and irrational food rules Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a notable potential side effect of Semaglutide/Tirzepatide?

Headaches Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes transient psychotic episodes?

Brief episodes of paranoia or derealization triggered by stress. Signup and view all the answers

Which key module of Dialectical Behavior Therapy focuses on managing emotional dysregulation?

Emotion Regulation Signup and view all the answers

Who is likely to have a significantly higher risk of developing Anorexia Nervosa?

Individuals with a family history of the disorder Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of the defense mechanism known as splitting?

Consistently viewing others as completely good or completely bad. Signup and view all the answers

In which setting is Anorexia Nervosa most frequently observed?

Post-industrialized, high-income countries Signup and view all the answers

How is psychopathy primarily distinguished from Antisocial Personality Disorder?

Through a focus on personality traits such as superficial charm. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, what purpose do 'dairy cards' serve?

They help monitor therapy interfering behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about sociopathy as compared to psychopathy?

Sociopathy is characterized by impulsivity and emotional instability. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of Distress Tolerance in Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Calmly recognizing and accepting current situations. Signup and view all the answers

Which element of DBT emphasizes acceptance and awareness of thoughts and feelings?

Mindfulness Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stress Disorders

Reactions to extreme trauma: Intrusive recollections, daytime flashbacks, nightmares, and illusions are common reactions. A veteran might see a combat enemy's face during a non-traumatic argument as an example.
Acute distress: Acute distress upon cues of trauma is possible; for example, loud fireworks at a 4th of July parade could trigger flashbacks for a veteran of IED explosions.
Dissociative symptoms: "Psychic numbing," emotional detachment, going in a daze, or dropping out of typical activities are common dissociative symptoms. Avoiding trauma-related topics, memory loss (dissociative amnesia), and distorted time perception are also possible symptoms.
Feeling detached: Feeling detached from one's own body (depersonalization) and/or surroundings (derealization) is common.
Chronic hyperarousal: Startle response, insomnia, hypervigilance, and restlessness, along with irritability, anger outbursts, and aggression (especially in males) and survival guilt/shame are indications of chronic hyperarousal.
Experiences of depersonalization and derealization: Depersonalization is feeling detached from one's body or self; derealization is experiencing surroundings as dreamlike or distorted.

Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD: Basic Differences

Basic Difference: Acute Stress Disorder lasts from 2 days to under one month after trauma, while PTSD persists beyond a month.
Risk Factors: Severity, duration, and nature of trauma, pre-existing anxiety/depression, family history of PTSD, minority status, poor coping mechanisms, and lack of social support can contribute to a higher risk.
Treatment: Exposure therapy (treating trauma responses) and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) are common methods.

Complex PTSD

Special Case: Repeated or continuous trauma over months or years defines Complex PTSD, with symptoms potentially more severe and longer lasting than those of simple PTSD. Examples include emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, POW or war zone living, and human trafficking.
Symptoms: Often include a broader array of symptoms compared to simple PTSD and can manifest as changes in world view, beliefs, and relationships.

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

Fact Phase: Victims share their stories.
Reaction Phase: Victims discuss thoughts and feelings.
Symptom Phase: Identifying symptoms and developing coping strategies.
Teaching Phase: Educating the victim on trauma-related aspects, reactions, and typical methods of coping.
Reentry Phase: Wrapping up, addressing concerns, providing referrals, and developing a plan of action.

Personality Disorders

Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder (Provisional): Characterized by indirect resistance to authority or demands. Passive-aggressive behaviors are commonly observed by others and can affect relationships.
Cluster A (Odd/Eccentric): Includes Schizoid (detachment from social relationships), Schizotypal (acute discomfort in close relationships), and Paranoid (persistent distrust).
Cluster B (Dramatic/Emotional): Includes Antisocial (disregard for others' rights), Histrionic (excessive emotionality), Borderline (instability in relationships), and Narcissistic (grandiosity and need for admiration).
Cluster C (Anxious/Fearful): Includes Avoidant (extreme sensitivity to criticism) and Obsessive-Compulsive (preoccupation with order).

Transient Psychotic Episodes

Stress-Induced Psychosis: Brief episodes of paranoia, depersonalization, or derealization triggered by stress.

Personality Disorders (more details)

Symptoms from descriptions in the text
Presentation details of various disorders
Types of each
Details about each

Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa: Characterized by extreme efforts to lose weight through restrictive eating and/or excessive exercise. Distorted body image is a hallmark feature.
Bulimia Nervosa: Involves recurrent binge eating followed by behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise to compensate.
Binge-Eating Disorder: Involves recurrent binge eating without compensatory behaviors like purging.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A condition beginning in childhood, marked by an aversion to food with no body image concerns; may involve sensory sensitivities.

Substance Abuse

Risk Factors: Include genetic predisposition, early trauma, and environmental stressors.
Overall Differences: Intoxication symptoms (temporary impairment after substance ingestion). Withdrawal from substances (symptoms opposite to intoxication.) Substance abuse (harmful use patterns). Substance dependence (having a strong need for the substance.)
Behaviors: Examples include cravings, social issues, and interpersonal conflicts.

Sleep Disorders

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Potential developmental and behavioral problems associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Infants exposed to alcohol prenatally have potentially wide-spaced eyes, a flat or smooth nasal area, and thin upper lip.

Korsakoff Syndrome

Symptoms: Memory loss (including retrograde and anterograde amnesia), confabulation is also common.
Cause: Thiamine deficiency following prolonged alcohol use.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Presentations: Inattentive (difficulty focusing), hyperactive-impulsive (fidgeting, interrupting), and combined.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Characteristics: Difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behaviors/interests/activities, and sensory sensitivities.

Schizophrenia

Signs/Symptoms: Hallucinations (perceptions without external stimuli) and delusions (fixed false beliefs).

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Description

This quiz explores various aspects of stress disorders, focusing on reactions to extreme trauma, acute distress, and dissociative symptoms. It covers common experiences like flashbacks, emotional detachment, and chronic hyperarousal, highlighting their impact on veterans and others affected by trauma. Test your knowledge about these critical psychological responses.