PTSD is a classically conditioned fear response that is enhanced by physiological factors Dr Holmes What Causes PTSD Learning Approach Cognitive Approach PTSD is based on incorrect beliefs What s Going on Psychology cid 127 What causes high levels of norepinephrine Previous Trauma cid 127 Genetics Cortisol the stress hormone Key factor is norepinephrine a hormone released by the adrenal glands increasing the physiological components of anxiety High levels of norepinephrine lead to a stronger anxiety response in fear provoking situations PTSD is a normal stress reaction that doesn t know when to quit Hippocampus where we store new memories may be smaller in individuals with PTSD Amygdala our brain s alert system for potential danger may function abnormally and trigger unusual gear or anger response Diagnosis of PTSD cid 127 Must be able o link symptoms with trauma cid 127 Must rule out physiological issues such as a concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury TBI Can be difficult because memory is not always accurate Involves exposure to feared stimuli in a gradual hierarchy until fear response is extinguished Also involves cognitive restructuring cid 127 Worst Treatment Debriefing Used to be called Critical Incident Stress Debriefing CISD Involves having an individual talk through the traumatic event in great detail shortly after it has occurred It s ineffective because it actually strengthens the conditioned fear response Treatment for PTSD Best Treatment Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT 1 Prolonged Exposure cid 127 Geared toward breaking fear response Fear based trauma 3 Cognitive Processing Therapy Alternative self help treatments include progressive muscle relaxation Visualization Yoga cid 127 Meditation Hobbies Eating healthy Medication to Treat PTSD cid 127 Medication will not solve underlying problems Societal Implications and Prevention The costs of untreated PTSD Lost lives to suicide especially with depression as well High medical costs It can reduce the severity of the fear response which can make CBT more manageable for sever cases Best medications are antidepressants Prozac Zoloft and Paxil higher rates of disability more physical symptoms more mental health disorders more medical diagnoses from doctors more risky health behaviors estimated 160 billion per year for untreated trauma related alcohol and drug abuse alone Legal issues cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 PTSD does sometimes play a role in criminal behavior Poor work performance and lost jobs Family troubles the ability to find something good learn something or growth from stress or adversity What is Post traumatic Growth Some individuals report New appreciation for life Better relationships Personal strength Changed priorities Richer spiritual life cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127
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