Ch 12 - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

repetition compulsion

A psychological phenomenon in which a person repeats a traumatic event or its circumstances over and over again. This includes reenacting the event or putting oneself in situations where the event is likely to happen again.

Stress Response Syndrome

Development of emotional or behavior symptoms in response to a stressful event

intrusive symptoms

Intrusive memories, Nightmares, Mental images Flashbacks. Psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues associated with the trauma. Physiological reactions to internal or external cues

Six categories of symptoms of PTSD

Persistent reexperiencing of the trauma Increased arousal (i.e. sleep disturbances) Transient psychotic symptoms (i.e. derealization) Avoidance Numbing Associated features (i.e. major depression)

Eric Lindemann

Worked with Gerald Caplan on the Wellesley Project and helped create crisis intervention as it is known today; recognized for his contributions to grief work.

PTSD is subdivided int othe following clinical presentations:

acute - duration of symptoms is less than three months chronic - duration of symptom is more than three months acute onset - the traumatic event has just recently occurred delayed onset - the onset of severe symptoms occurs at least six months after the traumatic event

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

an anxiety disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and/or insomnia that lingers for four weeks or more after a traumatic experience

PTSD due to early, severe child abuse or neglect may leave not only emotional scars,

but also neurobiology may be altered. Can result in an increased need for attachment and protection

Acute, toxic levels of glutamate and cortisol

in the immediate aftermath of severe trauma, these are marked to increase and may reach toxic levels that can damage parts of the brain associated with affect regulation.

When the traumatic experience has occurred early in life, another consequence, may be

inadequate attachment and bonding. This can impair abilities for emotional regulation

Treatment of choice for PTSD

is psychotherapy, most effective is exposure-based cognitive therapy.

It has been hypothesized that severely traumatic experiences may result in a sort of

kindling effect, in which repeated episodes of trauma change brain functioning and even brain morphology.

Hyperarousal

symptoms that arise from high levels of anxiety, including insomnia, irritability, anger outbursts, watchfulness, suspiciousness, and distrustfulness. Often seen with PTSD