Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Child Maltreatment

A collection of vocabulary flashcards related to PTSD and child maltreatment, focusing on definitions and key concepts from the lecture notes.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, characterized by symptoms like flashbacks, avoidance, and heightened arousal.

Child Maltreatment

Any recent act or failure to act by a parent or caretaker that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation.

Neglect

Failure to provide for a child's basic physical, emotional, educational, or medical needs.

Physical Abuse

Physical injury to a child as a result of punching, beating, kicking, or other harmful actions.

Sexual Abuse

Involvement of a child in sexual activities, including fondling, penetration, incest, and exploitation.

Emotional Abuse

Behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth.

Prevalence of Child Maltreatment

1 in 7 children have experienced abuse or neglect, with specific prevalence rates for different types of abuse.

Symptoms of PTSD

Include intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative mood alterations, and marked alterations in arousal.

Trauma-informed Care

An approach in the treatment of trauma that recognizes and responds to the impact of trauma on individuals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A psychotherapy that addresses dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and cognitions through a goal-oriented, systematic procedure.

Relaxation Techniques

Methods used to promote relaxation and reduce tension, such as diaphragmatic breathing and guided imagery.

In-vivo Exposure

A gradual exposure method used in CBT where the patient confronts real-life situations that cause anxiety.

Conjoint Sessions

Therapy sessions where a child shares their trauma narrative with a parent or caregiver to foster communication and healing.

Affective Dysregulation

Inability to manage emotional responses, leading to acute emotional distress.

Graduated Exposure

A technique in therapy to gradually expose patients to feared stimuli to reduce anxiety and avoidance.

Psychoeducation

Education provided to clients and their families to help them understand trauma and its effects.

Safety Skills

Skills taught to children to enhance their awareness of safe and unsafe situations, and how to assert boundaries.

Treatment Goals for PTSD

Aimed at exposing clients to fears, challenging distorted beliefs, and reducing overall stress.

Natural Disaster Trauma

Trauma resulting from environmental events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods.

Human-Made Disaster Trauma

Trauma resulting from human activities, including conflict, terrorism, and acts of violence.