L17: Trauma & Stressor Related Disorders

Question 1

The commonest types of trauma and stressor related disorders:

Answer 1

1. Acute stress disorder
2. Post traumatic stress disorder.
3. Adjustment disorder.

Question 2

What Causes Trauma?

Answer 2

Trauma could be caused by natural or man related disaster e.g.; accidents, deaths or rape.

Question 2

what is Trauma?

Answer 2

It is an extremely distressing experience that causes severe emotional shock and may have long tasting psychological effects.

Question 2

Characters & Durations in Acute Stress Disorder & PTSD

Answer 2

Question 3

DSM 5 Criteria of Acute Stress Disorder & PTSD

Answer 3

Question 4

Recurrent intrusions in Acute Stress Disorder & PTSD

Answer 4

• distressing memories of the traumatic event.
• distressing nightmares that is related to the traumatic event.
• dissociative reactions (e.g., flashbacks) in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event is recurring.
• intense psychological distress or reaction at exposure to internal or external cues that resemble the traumatic event.

Question 5

Avoidance in Acute Stress Disorder & PTSD

Answer 5

Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event as evidenced by
one of the following:

a) avoidance of: distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings associated with the traumatic event.

b) avoidance of: external reminders: people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations, that arouse distressing memories, thoughts or feeling.

Question 6

Negative alterations in cognition & Mood in Acute Stress Disorder & PTSD

Answer 6

1. Dissociative amnesia.
2. Negative beliefs about oneself, others or the world.
3. Distorted cognition about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event that lead the individual to blame himself or others.
4. Negative emotional state (fear, horror, anger, guilt).
5. Diminished interest or participation in significant activities.
6. Feeling detachment or estrangement from others.
7. Persistent inability to experience positive emotions.

Question 8

Symptoms of increased arousal & Reactivity in Acute Stress Disorder & PTSD

Answer 8

1. Irritable behavior.
2. Hypervigilance.
3. Exaggerated startle response.
4. Problems with concentration.
5. Sleep disturbance.

Question 9

Prevelance & Etiology of Acute Stress Disorder & PTSD

Answer 9

• Lifetime prevalence of PTSD is >8%.
• Higher prevalence in women most likely due to greater risk of exposure to traumatic events particularly rape. (F>)
• Exposure to particular trauma particularly in childhood is a risk factor of developing PTSD

Question 10

Course & Prognosis in Acute Stress Disorder & PTSD

Answer 10

Question 11

Characters of Adjustment Disorder

Answer 11

Question 11

Managment of Acute Stress Disorder & PTSD

Answer 11

Question 12

DSM 5 Criteria of Adjustment Disorder

Answer 12

Question 13

Epidemeolgy of Adjustment Disorder

Answer 13

• Adjustment disorders are very common (5-20% of patients in outpatient mental health clinics).
• They may occur at any age.

Question 14

Etiology of Adjustment Disorder

Answer 14

• Triggered by psychosocial factors.

Question 15

Prognosis of Adjustment Disorder

Answer 15

• May be chronic if the stressor is chronic or recurrent.
• Symptoms (by definition) resolve within 6 months of cessation of stressor.

Question 16

Managment of Adjustment Disorder

Answer 16

1. Supportive psychotherapy (most effective).
2. Group therapy.
3. Occasionally pharmacotherapy is used to treat associated symptoms (insomnia, anxiety, or depression) in a time-limited fashion.

Question 17

• Acute stress disorders and post traumatic stress disorders have the same clinical picture but differ in the timing of the onset and duration of symptoms.
• Trauma is an extremely distressing experience that cause severe emotional shock and may have long lasting psychological effect.
• Adjustment disorder is due to a stressful life event that is not life threatening as in PTSD, and symptoms resolve within 6 months after cessation of the stressor.

Answer 17

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