Trauma Related Disorders

Exam 2

Adjustment disorders

caused by an identifiable stressor that causes an out of proportion reaction and persist less than 6 months after the stressor

Significant difficulty adjusting to a life stressor

Criticisms of overdiagnosis of Adjustment disorder

• people could over pathologize themselves

• people who need medication don’t receive it

• symptoms aren’t clearly stated in the DSM

Typical outcomes of trauma

1) Resilience

2) recovery (symptom reduction)

3) delayed symptoms occur

4) chronic symptoms occur

Risk factors of chronic trauma symptoms

• perceived threat

• how large the event was

• extent of exposure (how long)

• isolation afterwards

• limited resources

• previous stress & trauma history

Trauma

direct exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence such as with combat, sexual assault or harassment, violent crime, domestic violence, terrorist events, natural disasters, car accidents, or other work-related accidents

Acute Stress Disorder

caused by direct exposure to a traumatic event with symptoms occurring within the first 30 days since exposure

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

caused by direct exposure to a traumatic even with symptoms persisting beyond 30 days. symptoms of this disorder also tend to meet criteria for depression

Intrusion symptoms

intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks

Avoidance symptoms

avoiding anything that could trigger anxiety or depressive symptoms

Negative Alterations in mood/cognition

difficulty remembering details of events or distorted and persistent negative views

Arousal changes in Reactivity

hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, concentration difficulties, exaggerated startle response, reckless or self-destructive behavior

Medication treatment

Beta blockers can prevent panic attacks but only really treats sleep and hyperactivity issues

SSRIs and other antidepressants

Only 20-30% recover fully on medication alone

Prolonged Exposure Therapy

retelling the traumatic event in as much detail as possible in therapy and recording it then listening to it over and over. Forces you to relive the event to break its power over you

Cognitive Processing Therapy

writing an impact statement to express the emotional and life impacts a traumatic event has had on you. It often focuses on how that trauma has affected your world view. It can be group or individual work and helps you identify and challenge dysfunctional cognitions