Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Question 1

What is PTSD?

Answer 1

It is a condition in which there is a delayed reaction following exposure to an extremely traumatic event

Question 2

How long after exposure to the traumatic event does PTSD occur?

Answer 2

> 4 weeks

Question 3

What is the pathophysiology of PTSD?

Answer 3

There is impaired memory consolidation of experiences too traumatic to be processed normally, which leads to a chronic hyperarousal of fear circuits

Question 4

What are the four main clinical features of PTSD?

Answer 4

Hyperarousal

Avoidance of Situations

Re-Experiencing

Cognition & Mood

Question 5

What is hyperarousal?

Answer 5

It refers to a persistently heightened perception of current threat

Question 6

What are the four clinical features of hyperarousal in PTSD?

Answer 6

Persistent Anxiety

Irritability

Insomnia

Poor Concentration

Question 7

What are the two clinical feautres of re-experiencing in PTSD?

Answer 7

Intense, Vidid Flashbacks

Nightmares

Question 8

What are the four clinical features of cognition and mood in PTSD?

Answer 8

Memory Loss

Negative Views

Distorted Feelings of Guilt

Anhedonia

Question 9

What are the three diagnostic criteria of PTSD?

Answer 9

The clinical features of PTSD should persist for at least one month

The individual must experience at least one re-experiencing symptom, at least one avoidance symptoms, at least two hyperarousal symptoms and two cognition/mood symptoms

The clinical features of PTSD must be severe enough to result in a functional impairment

Question 10

What are the three psychological therapies used in PTSD?

Answer 10

Psychoeducation

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR)

Question 11

What is psychoeducation?

Answer 11

It involves providing patients with information about post-traumatic stress disorder and ways in which they can control and minimise it

Question 12

What is the first line management option of post traumatic stress disorder?

Answer 12

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing Theraoy (EMDR)

Question 13

What is trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy?

Answer 13

It involves education about reactions to trauma and strategies to process memories and emotions related to it

Question 14

When is EMDR used to manage PTSD?

Answer 14

It is used to manage non-combat related trauma, in individuals presenting more than three months after the traumatic event

Question 15

What is EMDR?

Answer 15

It is a focused approach to treating trauma by reconnecting the individual in a safe and measured way to the images, self-thoughts, emotions and body sensations associated with the trauma

Question 16

What are the three pharmacological management options for PTSD?

Answer 16

SSRIs

SNRIs

Antipsychotics

Question 17

When are SSRIs used to manage PTSD?

Answer 17

They are the first line pharmacological management option used to manage PTSD – which is recommended following ineffective CBT or EMDR therapy

Question 18

Name four SSRIs used to manage PTSD

Answer 18

Sertraline

Citalopram

Fluoxetine

Paroxetine

Question 19

When are SNRIs used to manage PTSD?

Answer 19

They are the first line pharmacological management used to manage post-traumatic stress disorder – which is recommended following ineffective CBT or EMDR therapy

Question 20

Name a SNRI used to manage PTSD

Answer 20

Venlafaxine

Question 21

When are antipsychotics used to manage PTSD?

Answer 21

They are the second line pharmacological management option used to manage post-traumatic stress disorder – usually reserved for severe cases

Question 22

Name an antipsychotic used to manage PTSD

Answer 22

Risperidone