Week 5 - Acute Stress and PTSD

Trauma and Stressor-related Disorders (TSR's)

A group of disorders in the DSM-5 that are characterized by the effects of traumatic or stress exposure.

Working Definition of Stress

Psychological condition experienced when coping resources are insufficient to respond to a physical or emotional challenge.

High Stress Life Stressors

Events rated 90+ on stress rating scale, including sexual assault, death of a close friend, and major assessments.

Low Stress Life Stressors

Events rated above 60 on the stress rating scale, such as falling asleep in class or taking a challenging subject.

Health Effects of High Stress

Includes susceptibility to illnesses, immune system dysfunction, increased risk of coronary heart disease, and links to premature aging.

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)

A diagnosis added by DSM-5TR characterized by intense grief lasting beyond typical timeframes, distinct from mood disorders.

Controversy of PGD

Debated due to criteria potentially imposing arbitrary timelines on grieving and lacking robust field testing.

Adjustment Disorder

Diagnosis for clinically significant symptoms following stressors that aren't extreme, typically resolving when stressor is removed.

History of PTSD

Originally termed as military disorder, now recognized as impacting anyone affected by traumatic experiences.

Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD

Includes 1/5 intrusion symptoms, 1/2 avoidance symptoms, 2/7 negative mood symptoms, and 2/6 arousal/reactivity symptoms.

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)

Characterized by symptoms lasting from 3 days to 1 month following a traumatic event.

Traumatic Stress

An event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.

Risk Factors for PTSD

Include sex, social support, trauma nature, and prior health, among others.

Intergenerational Trauma

Trauma experienced by one generation affects the mental health and well-being of subsequent generations.

Psychotherapeutic Approaches for PTSD

Effective treatments include prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.

Emotion Processing

Central in psychotherapy for PTSD, involves revisiting trauma in a supportive environment to change cognitive appraisals.