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PTSD
Abnormal Psychology
Chapter 5.2
Anxiety Disorder
What is PTSD

PTSD is an anxiety
disorder that develops
in response to a
stressful event or
situation of
exceptionally
threatening or
catastrophic nature
What are the core features?
Reexperiencing
of the
Traumatic event
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Symptoms of
extreme arousal
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Avoidance of associated stimuli
and numbing of
general responsiveness
(last more than 1 month)
The Symptoms



The symptoms of PTSD can start after a
delay of weeks, or even months. They
usually appear within 3 months after the
traumatic event.
Some people get better within 6 months.
Others may have the illness for much
longer.
For ABCS see p. 158
WHAT
CAUSES
PTSD?
 PTSD can occur at any ages
 exhibit the symptoms varies:
• acute: less than 3 months
• chronic: 3 months or longer
• delayed onset: more than 6 months
(DSM-IV)
Natural
disasters
Terrorism
War
The facts of child with PTSD experienced………
• traumatic events by age of 6: 68%
• physical problems and emotional difficulties: 20%
• more than one traumas: 50%
(NCTSN http://www.nctsn.org/ )
•A recent review of research on children
exposed to specific traumas found wide
ranges in rates of PTSD
• 20 percent to 63 percent in survivors of child
maltreatment
• 12 percent to 53 percent in the medically ill
• 5 percent to 95 percent in disaster survivors
(NCTSN)
Physical
abuse

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
– is considered a normal reaction to a
potentially traumatic event such as war,
torture, rape, natural disasters, etc.

However, it is still classified as a “mental
disorder” within the DSM system.
Please Read:

Research in psychology on p. 158 about
the case of Rwanda and answer the three
questions afterwards
PTSD Symptom Prevalence:

Several studies, including those in post-conflict settings,
indicate that approximately 25-33% of persons
exposed to an extreme stressor/ violence
experience will go on to develop PTSD symptoms
(Breslau et al 1991, Kilpatrick et al 1992).

Aprox 70% of persons exposed to a traumatic stressor
will NOT develop PTSD symptoms. This may point to a
certain level of inherent resilience/ coping skills
among the majority.

The two most frequently comorbid
(occurring at the same time) disorders with
PTSD are substance abuse and major
depression, both of which may be
accompanied by a high risk of suicide.

80% of persons with long-term PTSD suffer
from depression, another anxiety disorder,
or substance abuse (International Society
for Traumatic Stress Studies, 2000).
Etiology (why do some develop
PTSD more than some…)



Biological
Twin research has shown a possible
genetic predisposition for PTSD (Hauff and
Vaglum 1994)
Higher levels of noradrenaline (Geracioti
2001)
Etiology





Cognitive
If individual cognitions could make a
difference to people who develop PTSD
Intrusive memories – flasbacks – cuedependent memories (Brewin et al 1996)
Virtual reality as a therapy: flooding which
will lead to habituation (Albert Rizzo)
Attributional style (Beck): Focusing on
Personal responsibility or not/ emotion or
problem makes a difference (Sutker et el.
Etiology





Sociocultural
Majority of research
Experiences of racism and oppression are
predisposing factors for PTSD (Vietnam
war, Roysircar 2000)
Threat of death, Bosnia (Dyregrov 1998)
Social learning – domestic violence (Silva
2000)
Cultural Considerations in PTSD

Several studies and existing biological
research suggest there is a universal
biological response to traumatic events
(A. Marsella et al 1993).

For example, intrusive thoughts/memories
or “flashbacks” may transcend culture.
Cultural…



However,
Avoidance/ numbing and arousal
symptoms may be more specific to various
cultural groups;
Some cultural groups may be more likely to
describe physical symptoms (somatic
complaints);
Gender Considerations




There is significant gender difference
Breslau et al (1991) longitudinal study of
1007 young adults exposed to community
violence
Found prevalence rate of 11,3 % in women
compared to 6% in men
According to Horowitz et al 1995, women
have a 5 times greater risk of developing
PTSD after a traumatic/violent event
Gender Considerations
Women are raped more than men and rape
carries the highest risk of producing PTSD
50%!
Sexual abuse as well
Socialization could be a factor – lead to how
the girls and women deal with their traumas
to internalize them compared to men who
externalize them (Nolen-Hoeksema 1994 and
Achenbach 1991)


War Veterans Suffer from PTSD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0DMNpYa3dg

PTSD: What is it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_H_mAm4a4s

The Virtual PTSD Treatment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHmXYhS4HQI&feature=related
Etiology of PTSD
Cause
Natural disasters
Terrorism/Warfare
Abuses
Accidents
…..
Core features
•Reexperiencing of the traumatic event
• Symptoms of extreme arousal
•Avoidance of associated stimuli and numbing of
general responsiveness
Assessment
DSM-IV
Acute: > 3 months
Chronic: 3~6 months
Delayed onset: > 6 months
Relapse
(risk factors)
PTSD
Treatments
EMDR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ5MLn1Cc9
4&feature=related (2:57)
Video
Game Tetris Used to Treat PTSD
http://www.redorbit.com/news/video/technology/
7/video_game_tetris_used_to_treat_ptsd/26700/i
ndex.html (0:50)
NO MORE FEAR!!
April, 2 2009
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
will spend more than $1.4 billion as part of
President Obama’s economic recovery plan of
PTSD to improve services to America’s Veterans.