Lecture 5: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PDF

Disclaimer: Intimate partner violence (various forms of abuse between romantic partners) will be discussed. SA- sexual assault- will be BRIEFLY mentioned but is not the main focus. Lecture # 5: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder...

Disclaimer: Intimate partner violence (various forms of abuse between romantic partners) will be discussed. SA- sexual assault- will be BRIEFLY mentioned but is not the main focus. Lecture # 5: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD: Combat Intimate Partner Violence Law PSYC 350-212 Instructor: C. Lountzis Week 6-7 PTSD dx in a nutshell Screening questions: 1-Did you experience a life-threatening event? 2- If yes, do memories of this event interfere with your life?  Simplified DSM-5 Diagnosis of PTSD A: Trauma Individual experiences OR witnesses a traumatic event (note exceptions) B. Intrusion Intrusive memories of traumatic event Nightmares Dissociative reactions (e.g., flashbacks) which may occur on a continuum from brief episodes to complete loss of consciousness.  Simplified DSM-5 Diagnosis of PTSD C: avoidance Avoids thinking about the trauma Avoids external reminders of the trauma (e.g. people, places, conversations, activities, situations) D: Negative alterations in cognitions and mood Persistent negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world (may blame self) Persistent negative emotional state (possible anhedonia) E. Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity Irritable behavior and angry outbursts Hypervigilance or exaggerated startle response  Simplified DSM-5 Diagnosis of PTSD F: duration Persistence of symptoms (in Criteria B, C, D and E) for more than one month. G: impairment Significant symptom-related distress or functional impairment (e.g., social, occupational). H: exclusion Disturbance is not due to medication, substance use, or other illness.  PTSD Subtype: Dissociative Sx In addition to the general PTSD criteria the following are present: Depersonalization Derealization Do not confuse with psychosis  PTSD: Dissociative State Defense and coping mechanism: .. Detachment from reality (vs. loss of reality) Exists on a continuum At the nonpathological end  describes common events such as daydreaming while driving.  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD is not useful to support a NCRMD/NGRI (except in RARE cases). Successful when arguing for diminished responsibility vs. complete absolution of responsibility. Two cases: Dissociative state (NCRMD/NGRI) Battered Spouse Syndrome (Self-defense) the rm s is te i L Th GA e rm LE T th te NO YCH PS  War & PTSD According to courts there is NO connection between going to war and committing violent crime. However Veterans who commit violent crimes do NOT have previous criminal records, civilians usually do. Time of diagnosis Family reactions  PTSD: Veteran Cases PTSD as a NCR/NGRI defense for murder = problematic due to offender knowing the difference between right and wrong (M’Naghten rule) For it to work: … Case Examples: Charles G. Heads (1980) Strasburg (asynch) Sepi (asynch) Show video  PTSD: BSS/IPV Not a mental illness In some legal circles this term s used but NOT IN DSM. Note: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the appropriate term when describing abuse in intimate relationships. Everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation or marital status can experience IPV. Some types of abuse (there are more) Intimate Partner Violence SOME types of abuse  PTSD: BSS/IPV Common traits: The pronouns “her/she” are used because these results are based on studies done on cisgender women in relationships with men. 1. believes that the violence was her fault. May involve gaslighting 2. fears for her life and/or her children's lives. 3. irrational belief that the abuser is omnipresent. Why does she stay? Trauma-bond due to: Learned helplessness Intermittent reinforcement  love bombing Pilot project in QC: Specialized courts for dealing with IPV  PTSD: BSS In court: Used to justify when a woman kills her partner because he abused her. Many judges against BSS plea because not scientifically validated + blames VICTIM 2 out of 3 times the woman is accused of homicide May be acquitted on self-defense R. v. Lavallee (1990)  Resources Student Services: Counselors Legal Advice for survivors of IPV, SA, Crime : https://www.rebatir.ca/?lang=en https://cavac.qc.ca/en/