PTSD

Question 1

PTSD can develop in patients of any age. TRUE/FALSE?

Answer 1

TRUE - can develop in people of any age following a traumatic event

Question 2

Give an example of a traumatic event which could precipitate PTSD?

Answer 2

• major disaster
• childhood sexual abuse

Question 3

The DSM IV claims for PTSD to be diagnosed, symptoms have to have been present for how long?

Answer 3

> 1 month.

Question 4

Clinical features of PTSD

Answer 4

• Re-experiencing: flashbacks, nightmares

-Avoidance of circumstances associated with event

• Hyperarousal: exaggerated startle response, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating
• Emotional numbing
• feeling detached from other people
• depression
• drug or alcohol misuse
• anger
• unexplained physical symptoms

Question 5

Management of PTSD

Answer 5

• trauma-focused CBT)
• eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
• drugs not 1st line - Venlafaxine or sertraline can be tried
• risperidone may be used in severe cases

Question 6

A single session “de-brief” after a traumatic event is a helpful intervention to prevent PTSD. TRUE/FALSE?

Answer 6

FALSE
- not recommended