Trauma and stressor disorders

acute stress disorder

like PTSD but with a shorter course. (3 days - 1 month) dxed if severe early reaction to trauma.

chronic PTSD

when symptoms last longer than 3 months

intrusive symptoms of PTSD

recurrent memories of a traumatic event. includes dreams and dissociation

persistent avoidance

symptom of PTSD. avoiding people/places/situations that remind you of the traumatic experience. can also include drugs and alcohol

dissociative amnesia

cog distortion of PTSD. forgetting certain aspects of trauma (typically selective)

PTSD with delayed expression

specifier where full symptoms dont emerge until 6+ months after trauma occurs (can be much longer)

SAM pathway

ANS stress response pathway that releases epinephrine which initiates stress response and heightened energy

pituitary-adrenal system

stress response system in higher brain structures that releases cortisol and results in an increase of energy and a worse immune system

flexible copeing style

most adaptive. being able to change what copeing skillset we use based on how controllable the problem is (controllable=problem focused, uncontrollable=emotion focused)

inflexible copeing style

being too stuck on either problem-focused or emotional-focused coping style. a risk factor for ptsd

equifinality

concept of child development when different starting points lead to the same outcome

multifinality

concept. of child development when the same starting point leads to different outcomes based on childhood stress level, reactivity of stress response and coping style

cognitive processing therapy

helps identify/challenge/change maladaptive cognitions

prolonged exposure therapy

gold standard. survivor works w therapist to develop narrative then repeat over and over until it is less distressing (possible cons: distressing, high drop out rate, retraumatizing)

EMDR

person recalls trauma while following a visual stimuli back and forth →facilitates rapid processing