PTSD

Question 1

What is PTSD?

Answer 1

Delayed and/or protracted response to stressful event or situation of exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature (e.g. natural disaster, rape, assault, torture)

Question 2

When do symptoms have to present for a diganosis of PTSD?

Answer 2

• Symptoms have to be present within 6 months of the stressor for diagnosis of PTSD

Question 3

What are the main presenting symptoms of PTSD?

Answer 3

re-experiencing
avoidance:
hyperarousal
emotional numbing

Question 4

What is hyperarousal?

Answer 4

Hypervigilance for threat, exaggerated startle response

Question 5

What are the other possibel symptoms of PTSD?

Answer 5

• poor concentration
• irritability and increased aggression
• poor sleep
• poor memory, particularly for the period around the event

Question 6

How long do symptoms of PTSD need to be present for a diagnosis?

Answer 6

1 Month (4 weeks)

Question 7

What is associated with PTSD?

Answer 7

• depression
• drug or alcohol misuse
• anger
• unexplained physical symptoms

Question 8

What is the management of PTSD?

Answer 8

• trauma-focused CBT
• eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)