Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders

PSY 311

What are Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders?

Disorders that involve psychological distress after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or stressful event.

How can someone develop PTSD through direct experience?

Experiencing death, serious injury, or sexual violence directly

How can witnessing trauma cause PTSD?

Seeing a traumatic event happen to someone else in person.

How can learning about a loved one’s trauma cause PTSD?

Finding out that a close friend or family member experienced a violent or accidental death.

How can repeated exposure to trauma cause PTSD?

Through jobs like first responders who handle traumatic details regularly (not just media exposure).

What are intrusion symptoms in PTSD?

Unwanted memories, nightmares, and flashbacks related to the trauma.

What does avoidance look like in PTSD?

Avoiding reminders of the trauma like places, people, or activities.

How does PTSD affect mood and thoughts?

Causes detachment, numbness, and loss of interest in activities.

How does PTSD change arousal and reactivity?

Leads to irritability, reckless behavior, trouble sleeping, and concentration problems.

How long must PTSD symptoms last for a diagnosis?

More than 1 month.

Is it normal to have stress symptoms after trauma?

Yes — it’s common, and most people improve over time without developing full PTSD.

Does something terrible happening always mean someone has PTSD?

No — the event must meet specific PTSD criteria for a diagnosis.

What percentage of people experience PTSD at some point in life?

About 6–7% (higher in women: 8–10%, lower in men: 4–5%).

Who is at higher risk for PTSD?

Emergency responders, refugees, Native Americans, heavy substance users, survivors of military sexual trauma, trans-masculine individuals.

What factors increase the risk of developing PTSD?

Prior trauma, mental illness, strong family history, severe trauma, and intense emotions during trauma.

What factors protect against developing PTSD?

Strong, flexible, and varied social support.

What disorders often occur alongside PTSD?

Depression and Substance Use Disorders.

What brain changes are associated with PTSD?

Overactive amygdala, smaller hippocampus, less active prefrontal cortex.

How does classical conditioning explain PTSD?

Trauma gets linked to new triggers, causing fear responses to reminders.

How does operant conditioning maintain PTSD?

Avoidance reduces fear temporarily, reinforcing the behavior.

How do genes influence PTSD risk?

Some genetic expressions make people more vulnerable to PTSD.

What medications are used to treat PTSD?

SSRIs, beta-blockers (propranolol), mood stabilizers, and prazosin for nightmares.

What are the main psychological treatments for PTSD?

Exposure-based therapies like Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and EMDR.

How can PTSD sometimes be prevented after trauma?

Using beta-blockers, corticosteroids, opiates (cautiously), and visual-spatial tasks like Tetris.

What is Complex PTSD (CPTSD)?

PTSD from prolonged, repeated trauma with additional symptoms like substance use, emotional instability, and dissociation.

How is Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) different from PTSD?

It has the same symptoms, but lasts less than 1 month.

What myths or issues should we know about trauma treatment?

Myths include needing full memory, rational reactions, closure, or forgiveness; trauma-informed care emphasizes safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment.