Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Question 1

What is the criterion of PTSD?

Answer 1

PART A - the setup
Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence in one or more of the following ways-
1. Directly experiencing the traumatic events
2. Witnessing in person, the event (a) as it occurred to others
3. Learning that the traumatic events occurred to a close family member or a close friend. In cases of actual or threatened death of a family member or friend, the events must have been violent or accidental.
4. Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic events (i.e. first responders, police officers continually exposed to horrible crimes)
NOTE - part 4 does not apply to social media exposure

Question 2

What is Part B of the criterion for PTSD?

Answer 2

B. Presence of one (or more) of the following intrusion symptoms -

1. recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic events
2. recurrent distressing dreams in which content and or affect of the dream are related to the traumatic events
3. Dissociative reactions (flashbacks) in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic events were recurring
4. intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolise or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event.
5. Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolise or resemble an aspect of the traumatic events

C. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic events, beginning after the traumatic events occurred, as evidenced by one or both of the following:

1. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic events
2. avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, object etc) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic events.

D. negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic events, beginning or worsenning after the traumatic events occured, as evidenced

E. Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic events.

Question 3

What is the duration of the disturbance?

Answer 3

Experienced criterion B, C, D and E for more than 1 month

Question 4

What is the most common trait among all traumas?

Answer 4

The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning

Question 5

What is acute stress disorder?

Answer 5

The same experience as PTSD but duration is different - A duration of 3 days to 1 month after trauma exposure

Question 6

What are the percentages of us experiencing a traumatic event?

Answer 6

65% of men and 50% of women experience a traumatic event at some point in life

Question 7

What is the probability of developing PTSD after a traumatic event?

Answer 7

Men 8-13%

Women 20-30%

Question 8

What are some risk factors of developing PTSD due to a traumatic event?

Answer 8

Gender - females more susceptible
personality - high neuroticism
Age - experiencing the trauma at a younger age
Unstable family
Biological

Question 9

What are some trauma related factors that increase risk of experiencing PTSD?

Answer 9

Type of trauma
perceived degree of life threat
predictability and controllability
Duration and frequency

Question 10

What are some Peri-traumatic reactions related factors that increase risk of experiencing PTSD

Answer 10

Arousal

Dissociation at time of trauma

Question 11

What are some post Trauma reactions related factors that increase risk of experiencing PTSD

Answer 11

Level of support
Validation of the experience
Opportunities to process the experience

Question 12

What are accompanying features of PTSD

Answer 12

Anger, Depression, Anxiety, Substance abuse, Emotional lability, Impulsive/self harm behaviour, physical complaints