PTSD: Neuroscience, Diagnosis, Epidemiology, and Treatment

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to PTSD, based on a detailed lecture.

PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Intrusion Symptoms

Symptoms that involve recurrent, involuntary memories, flashbacks, or distressing dreams related to the trauma.

Avoidance Symptoms

Symptoms characterized by efforts to avoid reminders, thoughts, or feelings related to the traumatic event.

Negative alterations in cognition and mood

Symptoms that include negative beliefs about oneself, distorted blame, and feelings of estrangement from others.

Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms

Symptoms such as hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, aggression, and problems with concentration or sleep.

Biomarker

A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that can be indicative of a condition; PTSD has unique biomarkers like dysregulated noradrenaline.

Exposure Requirement

The DSM-5 criterion that defines PTSD as requiring direct, witnessed, or learned exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.

Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire

A Canadian military officer known for his role as a UN peacekeeper during the Rwanda genocide and his experiences of PTSD, which he detailed in his book 'Shake Hands with the Devil'.

Epidemiology of PTSD

The study of the prevalence and impact of PTSD within populations; in Canada, the lifetime risk for PTSD is approximately 9.2%.

Hypervigilance

An enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by an exaggerated intensity of behaviors whose purpose is to detect threats.

Cortisol

A steroid hormone released in response to stress that is associated with various physical and mental health issues, including PTSD.

Propranolol

A beta-blocker medication that has been studied for its potential to reduce PTSD symptoms when administered shortly after a traumatic event.

Tetris as a cognitive intervention

A therapeutic approach involving the game Tetris, suggested to disrupt the consolidation of traumatic memories when played immediately after a trauma.

Endocannabinoid System

A complex cell-signaling system in the body involved in regulating various physiological processes and is being studied in relation to PTSD.

Dissociative Symptoms

Symptoms that involve experiences of unreality, detachment from the self or environment, often seen in certain presentations of PTSD.