Clinical Disorder: Post-Traumatic Disorder

Clinical Disorder: Post-Traumatic Disorder

Diagnostic Criteria of PTSD

Mann, S. K., & Marwaha, R. (2020). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559129/

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, contains the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnostic criteria (DSM-5). An individual must have gone through or observed a traumatic incident that ended in death, significant injury, or the prospect of death or serious harm to be diagnosed with PTSD. The person must then have gone through at least one of the following: intrusive, uncontrollable recollections of the traumatic incident; avoidance of circumstances, people, and things that trigger those memories; or unfavorable changes in mood and cognition. The symptoms must last for more than a month and significantly disturb the patient or limit their ability to function for PTSD to be diagnosed.

Differential Diagnosis

Eysenck, M. W., & Fajkowska, M. (2017). Anxiety and depression: toward overlapping and distinctive features. Cognition and Emotion, 32(7), 1391–1400. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2017.1330255

Differentiating between two or more illnesses with similar signs and symptoms is the differential diagnosis process. Anxiety disorders and depressive disorders are the two ailments that have similar signs and symptoms to PTSD. Problems with sleep, focus, and energy levels can result from either of these diseases. They may also result in irritation, angry outbursts, and avoidance of people and environments. Examining the cause of the symptoms is the key to separating these diseases from PTSD. A stressful incident, such as a vehicle accident or a natural disaster, frequently causes PTSD. The cause for anxiety and depressive disorders is frequently something unrelated to a traumatic incident. The incidences can be something like a stressful job or a family conflict.

The prevalence of PTSD in different populations

Olff, M. (2017). Sex and gender differences in post-traumatic stress disorder: an update. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8(sup4), 1351204. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2017.1351204

Depending on the demographic being examined, PTSD prevalence rates change. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD ranges from 3% to 5%. Rates, however, may be greater in some populations, including those who have suffered trauma, certain mental health illnesses, and specific medical conditions. The prevalence of PTSD differs by gender as well, with women being more likely than males to experience the disease. The higher prevalence in women is probably because trauma affects women more frequently than males. Studies have also revealed that some ethnic groups, such as African Americans and Native Americans, have a greater frequency of PTSD.

The Effect of the Disorder on an Individual

Suomi, A., Evans, L., Rodgers, B., Taplin, S., & Cowlishaw, S. (2019). Couple and family therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd011257.pub2

A person with PTSD may experience loneliness and withdrawal. They could refrain from engaging in once-enjoyed social situations and activities. Problems at work, school, or home may result from this. The person may struggle to maintain relationships and become distant from friends and family. An individual with PTSD may also become agitated and hostile. They could lose their temper quickly and strike out at people, even those they care about. As a result, relationships may suffer, and it may be challenging to get along in society. Further, PTSD can make it difficult for a person to focus and pay attention. They could struggle to finish activities, recall information, and decide what to do. Work, school, and home life may all be impacted by this.

Theories explaining PTSD

Pitman, R. K., Rasmusson, A. M., Koenen, K. C., Shin, L. M., Orr, S. P., Gilbertson, M. W., Milad, M. R., & Liberzon, I. (2017). Biological studies of post-traumatic stress disorder. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(11), 769–787. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3339

The cognitive theory is the first theory. According to the theory, persons who have PTSD form unfavorable attitudes about themselves and the outside environment. These unfavorable feelings result from these unfavorable beliefs, and PTSD eventually results. There are several implications of the cognitive theory for PTSD therapy. One conclusion is that PTSD patients should get therapy emphasizing fostering the growth of more optimistic self- and worldviews. Another conclusion is that therapy should concentrate on teaching PTSD patients how to control their emotions.

The biological theory is the second theory explaining PTSD. According to the theory, people with PTSD are genetically predisposed to the condition. This concept has effects on how PTSD is handled. One implication is that PTSD patients' biological propensity should be managed as part of treatment. Another conclusion is that the treatment goal for people with PTSD should be to help them control their exposure to trauma.

Psychosocial and Psychopharmacological interventions used to treat PTSD

Hoeft, T. J., Stephens, K. A., Vannoy, S. D., Unützer, J., & Kaysen, D. (2019). Interventions to treat posttraumatic stress disorder in partnership with primary care: A review of feasibility and extensive randomized controlled studies. General Hospital Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2019.05.008

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing are psychosocial methods used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (EMDR). By assisting patients in processing and making meaning of their trauma, fostering the development of coping and problem-solving abilities, and reducing avoidance behaviors, these therapies are beneficial in treating PTSD. Increased anxiety and discomfort throughout sessions are two modest adverse effects of CBT and exposure treatment. Headaches, vertigo, and nausea are among the most severe EMDR adverse effects.

Available Community Resources

Castillo, E. G., Ijadi-Maghsoodi, R., Shadravan, S., Moore, E., Mensah, M. O., Docherty, M., Aguilera Nunez, M. G., Barcelo, N., Goodsmith, N., Halpin, L. E., Morton, I., Mango, J., Montero, A. E., Rahmanian Koushkaki, S., Bromley, E., Chung, B., Jones, F., Gabrielian, S., Gelberg, L., & Greenberg, J. M. (2019). Community Interventions to Promote Mental Health and Social Equity. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1017-0

There are several community-based options available to people living with PTSD. Mental health therapy and support groups are two examples of such options. People with PTSD may find a safe environment to discuss their experiences and emotions in mental health treatment. To cope and solve problems, people with PTSD might benefit from counseling. For those with PTSD, support groups can offer social support and peer assistance. Additionally, groups may provide information about the condition and its therapies. People with PTSD can get in touch with their neighborhood mental health office, seek online counseling services, or attend support groups to get these options. 

References

Castillo, E. G., Ijadi-Maghsoodi, R., Shadravan, S., Moore, E., Mensah, M. O., Docherty, M., Aguilera Nunez, M. G., Barcelo, N., Goodsmith, N., Halpin, L. E., Morton, I., Mango, J., Montero, A. E., Rahmanian Koushkaki, S., Bromley, E., Chung, B., Jones, F., Gabrielian, S., Gelberg, L., & Greenberg, J. M. (2019). Community Interventions to Promote Mental Health and Social Equity. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1017-0

Eysenck, M. W., & Fajkowska, M. (2017). Anxiety and depression: toward overlapping and distinctive features. Cognition and Emotion, 32(7), 1391–1400. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2017.1330255

Hoeft, T. J., Stephens, K. A., Vannoy, S. D., Unützer, J., & Kaysen, D. (2019). Interventions to treat posttraumatic stress disorder in partnership with primary care: A review of feasibility and extensive randomized controlled studies. General Hospital Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2019.05.008

Mann, S. K., & Marwaha, R. (2020). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559129/

Olff, M. (2017). Sex and gender differences in post-traumatic stress disorder: an update. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8(sup4), 1351204. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2017.1351204

Pitman, R. K., Rasmusson, A. M., Koenen, K. C., Shin, L. M., Orr, S. P., Gilbertson, M. W., Milad, M. R., & Liberzon, I. (2017). Biological studies of post-traumatic stress disorder. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(11), 769–787. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3339

Suomi, A., Evans, L., Rodgers, B., Taplin, S., & Cowlishaw, S. (2019). Couple and family therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd011257.pub2