What Causes PTSD?• Learning Approach• PTSD is a "classically conditioned fear response that is enhanced by physiological factors"- Dr. Holmes• Cognitive Approach• PTSD is based on incorrect beliefs What's Going on Psychology?• 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• What causes high levels of norepinephrine?• Previous Trauma• Genetics• Cortisol ("the stress hormone") • 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 responseDiagnosis of PTSD:• Must be able o link symptoms with trauma• Must rule out physiological issues, such as a concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)• Can be difficult because memory is not always accurateTreatment for PTSD:• Best Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)1. Prolonged Exposure• Geared toward breaking fear response• Fear-based trauma3. Cognitive Processing Therapy•• Involves exposure to feared stimuli in a gradual hierarchy until fear response is extinguished• Also involves "cognitive restructuring"• 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• Alternative, "self help" treatments include:• progressive muscle relaxation• Visualization• Yoga• Meditation• Hobbies• Eating healthyMedication to Treat PTSD• Medication will not solve underlying problems• 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)Societal Implications and Prevention:The costs of untreated PTSD• Lost lives to suicide (especially with depression as well)• High medical costs• 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• PTSD does sometimes play a role in criminal behavior• Poor work performance and lost jobs• Family troublesWhat is Post-traumatic Growth?• the ability to find something good, learn something, or growth from stress or adversity• Some individuals report:• New appreciation for life• Better relationships• Personal strength• Changed priorities• Richer spiritual
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