PTSD

Question 1

What can cause PTSD?

Answer 1

Any event that the individual finds traumatic e.g.

• Violence
• Major car accident
• Major health events
• Natural disasters
• Military events

Question 2

What is the ICD 10 criteria for PTSD?

Answer 2

1) Exposure to a traumatic event

2) Re-experiencing the trauma (≥1 required)

• Intrusive memories or flashbacks
• Nightmares related to the trauma
• Intense psychological distress when exposed to reminders

3) Avoidance of reminders

• Avoidance of thoughts, feelings, people, or situations associated with the trauma

4) Hyperarousal symptoms (≥2 required)

• Hypervigilance
• Exaggerated startle response
• Sleep difficulties
• Irritability or angry outbursts
• Difficulty concentrating

5) Onset usually within 6 months of the traumatic event (delayed onset possible)

6) Functional impairment

Question 3

How does PTSD present?

Answer 3

Core symptoms
Flashbacks
Hyperarousal (feeling on edge)
Avoidance of triggers

Other symptoms
Re-experiencing
Negative emotions
Negative beliefs
Sleep difficulty
Depersonalisation (feeling separated on detached)
Derealisation (feeling the world around them is not real)
Emotional numbing

Question 4

How is PTSD diagnosed?

Answer 4

Trauma Screening Questionnaire
Used as screening prompting referral for further assessment

International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10)

Question 5

How is PTSD managed?

Answer 5

• Psychological therapy (trauma-focused CBT)
• Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Medication (SSRIs, venlafaxine)

Question 6

What is eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)?

Answer 6

Processing traumatic memories while performing specific eye movements

Improperly stored traumatic memories are reprocessed and stored again in a more normal way

No longer causes as much negative emotion and distress