Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Flashcards
What was “Railway spine”?
Variety of physical disorders in otherwise health and apparently uninjured railway accident victims
First thought to result from molecular changes in spinal cord
Later discovered that the horror of experiencing a railway accident was part or all of the syndrome
What was “Shell shock”?
Cases of PTSD-like symptoms after WW1
Widely believed that the concussion of artillery shells cause CNS damage
This did not however explain the cases of shock or distress among those who were not exposed to the exploding shells
How did studies based on WW1, WW2 and Vietnam veterans help the discovery of PTSD?
WW1 and WW2 veterans led to conclusion that most cases were psychological in origin, not organic
Vietnam veterans distress contributed to the evolution of PTSD as an independent diagnostic category
Give some examples of factors contributing to PTSD in the whole population
Abuse Assaults MVAs Natural disasters Human-caused disasters Exposure to noxious agent, e.g. Chernobyl Exposure to pathogens e.g. HIV
Give some incidence rates of PTSD after events
Rape: 80%
Witnessing or experiencing someone’s tragic death: 30%
MVA with injury: 23%
What are the 4 symptoms of PTSD? (NICE 26)
Re-experiencing symptoms
Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
Hyper-arousal
Emotional numbing
Describe hyper-arousal in PTSD sufferers
Irritability, anger
Being easily startled or hyper-vigilant
Insomnia
Having difficulty concentrating
Describe emotional numbing in PTSD sufferers
Lack of ability to experience feelings
Feeling detached from other people
Giving up previously significant activities
Amnesia for significant parts of the event
Why can assessment of PTSD be challenging?
Many people void talking about their problems when presenting with associated complaints
How do the characteristics of the traumatic event predict PTSD?
Stressors of human origin appear more likely to cause PTSD than natural disasters
Deliberate human-caused stressors are judged to be important
What are the vulnerability factors for PTSD that explain why not all people who experiience the traumatic stressor develop PTSD?
Childhood trauma
Early separation from parents
Pre-existing depression or anxiety
Family history of anxiety
Lower socioeconomic class
Lower educational status
What are some other psychological factors that contribute to the development of PTSD?
Personal impact of the event
Extend of perceived control over future threats
How one is prepared to deal with a stressor
Ones beliefs and assumptions about trauma
Social support
What is resilience?
Majority of adults are exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event in their lifetime
Although most experience confusion and distress, only a small subset of exposed adults develop PTSD
Therefore, there is an adult capacity to maintain healthy psychological and physical functioning = RESILENCE
Describe a study into resilience in 9/11 survivors
65% of respondents only had 1 or no PTSD symptoms during the first 6 months
What are the characteristics of resilient people?
Process a flexible adaptation to challenges
Sense of continuity in their beliefs about themselves/lives
Retain ability to regenerate positive experiences
