Wk 12 - Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders, Personality Disorders

Flashcards on Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders and Personality Disorders based on lecture notes.

Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders (TSRD)

Mental health conditions that develop or are exacerbated by exposure to traumatic events or chronic stressors.

Personality Disorders (PD)

Changes in the way people think about themselves and others, respond emotionally, relate to others, or control their behavior.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Prevalence in Australia

Extremely common with a lifetime prevalence of 12% in Australia, women almost twice as likely as men (15.8% vs 8.6%).

Vicarious trauma

Witnessing traumatic events, Intergenerational trauma.

Natural Disasters

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Floods, Wildfires, Tornadoes.

Interpersonal Traumas

Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Domestic violence, Bullying, Assault.

Early definitions of trauma

Events “outside the range of usual human experience.”

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic events during childhood, such as abuse or neglect, which can impact development and have lasting negative effects on health.

Abuse (ACE Category)

Physical, Emotional, Sexual.

Neglect (ACE Category)

Physical, Emotional.

Household dysfunction (ACE Category)

Mental illness, incarcerated relative, mother treated violently, substance abuse, divorce.

Neurological imaging studies findings in PTSD

Decreased hippocampal volumes compared to controls in people with ongoing PTSD symptoms.

Role of the Amygdala

Triggers the survival response (fight, flight, or freeze).

Activation of the ANS (Sympathetic Response)

Increases adrenaline and cortisol release.

Trauma Definition (Physiological)

Persistent. Even after the event ends, the body and mind continue to re-experience it.

Allostatic Load

The cumulative wear and tear on the body due to prolonged or excessive stress responses; includes physiological changes such as inflammation, autonomic nervous system changes, metabolic abnormalities, and immune system alterations.

Exposure (DSM-V Criteria for PTSD)

Experiencing or witnessing a stressful traumatic event.

Negative changes in cognitions and mood (DSM-V Criteria for PTSD)

Persistent negative beliefs and expectations, persistent distorted blame of self or others, dissociative symptoms, detachment and constricted affect.

Avoidance (Complex PTSD)

Efforts to avoid situations, places, and people that are reminders of the traumatic event.

Hyperarousal (Complex PTSD)

Symptoms such as irritability, concentration problems, and sleep disturbances.

Re-experiencing (Complex PTSD)

Continue to re-live the event through nightmares and/or flashbacks (intrusive symptoms).

Creating a safe environment for PTSD clients

Prioritise open communication and ensure clients are comfortable to discuss their needs and boundaries.

Acute Stress Disorder

Occurs following a traumatic event and shares the same symptoms as PTSD, but has a relatively quicker onset of symptoms following exposure to trauma i.e., between 3 days and 1 month.

Dissociation Definition

A disconnection between a person’s thoughts, memories, feelings, actions or sense of who (they are).

Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FND)

Unexpected sensorimotor changes, resulting in alterations to movement, function, or sensation, occurring in the absence of underlying neurological pathology and are commonly associated with trauma.

Adjustment Disorder

Difficulty coping with a specific life stressor, leading to emotional or behavioural distress that is disproportionate to the stressful event.

Cluster A Personality Disorders

Abnormal or eccentric behavior, characterised by social detachment and unusual beliefs and perceptions.

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior, characterised by impulsivity, emotional instability, and difficulty with relationships.

Cluster C Personality Disorders:

Anxious and fearful behavior, characterised by a strong desire for order, avoidance of social situations, and dependence on others.

BPD Criteria

A pattern of intense and unstable relationships with a fear of being abandoned, even if there is no evidence of it.

Importance of early diagnosis and intervention in BPD

Early diagnosis and intervention improves outcomes and prognosis in BPD.

Treatment practices for TSRD and PD

Trauma informed anxiety and promoting a sense of security.

A/Prof Rosenbaum Quote

Physical activity has a key role in ‘reconnecting’ the mind and the body.