🧠 PTSD Etiologies — Flashcards (Term → Definition Style)

Gilbertson et al. (2002) Study

Twin study revealing smaller hippocampi in both PTSD-exposed and non-exposed twins, suggesting reduced volume indicates pre-existing biological vulnerability.

Hyperactive Amygdala

Shin & Liberzon (2009) found PTSD patients have heightened amygdala responses to trauma-related stimuli, indicating increased biological reactivity.

Maladaptive beliefs in PTSD

Foa et al. (1995) identified that individuals with PTSD often hold self-blame and dangerous world beliefs, maintaining symptoms post-trauma.

Beck’s Cognitive Triad

Model stating negative thoughts about self, world, and future create a cognitive pattern associated with PTSD and other mental disorders.

Elevated Cortisol Responses

Elzinga et al. (2003) found trauma-exposed women with PTSD have heightened cortisol responses, showing biological stress response even without trauma.

Cortisol and Hippocampal Damage

Sapolsky et al. (1990) demonstrated that chronic cortisol exposure damages hippocampus, linking long-term stress to PTSD.

Cultural Expectations in PTSD

Perilla et al. (2002) showed that Hispanic women's PTSD experiences are shaped by cultural norms on emotional expression, supporting sociocultural explanations.

Gender and PTSD Prevalence

Kessler et al. identified that women are twice as likely to develop PTSD compared to men, highlighting sociocultural factors in vulnerability.

Hippocampus and Memory

Milner (HM) case study showed removal of the hippocampus leads to serious amnesia, supporting biological theories of PTSD associated with memory dysfunction.

Biological factors of PTSD

Factors such as a smaller hippocampus, overactive amygdala, and hormonal imbalances (elevated cortisol) contribute to an individual's vulnerability to PTSD.

Gilbertson et al. (2002) study

A twin study that indicates a smaller hippocampus may be a pre-trauma risk factor for PTSD, rather than a consequence of the trauma.

Shin & Liberzon (2009) study

Research involving brain scans that show overactivity in the amygdala of PTSD patients when reacting to trauma cues.

Strengths of biological explanation for PTSD

The biological explanation is supported by objective evidence from brain scans, hormonal studies, and twin studies, and it explains involuntary symptoms like flashbacks.

Limitations of biological explanation for PTSD

It cannot determine who will develop PTSD from trauma and overlooks cognitive and social factors, such as personal beliefs and support systems.

Differences between biological and cognitive explanations of PTSD

Biological explanations focus on genetic and physiological factors, while cognitive explanations consider how trauma is interpreted and reframed by individuals.

Foa et al. (1995) study

A cognitive study that found that self-blame and overgeneralization are key factors that maintain PTSD symptoms.

Sociocultural factors influencing PTSD

Factors such as gender, socioeconomic status, and cultural beliefs shape the occurrence and reporting of PTSD.

Prevalence of PTSD by gender

Women are statistically more likely to develop PTSD, potentially due to higher rates of interpersonal trauma and greater willingness to seek help.

Effectiveness of SSRIs for PTSD

SSRIs are effective for short-term relief of anxiety and depression in PTSD but do not treat the underlying trauma and can lead to side effects.

Benefits of psychological treatments for PTSD

Psychological treatments like CBT and exposure therapy are beneficial for long-term healing with fewer side effects, but they require significant emotional effort.

Ethical considerations in PTSD research

Ethical issues in research include challenges in obtaining informed consent and risks surrounding potential retraumatization of participants