PTSD

• How long should symptoms of PTSD be present before a diagnosis?

  At least 1 month
• What is PTSD?

  Psychiatric condition triggered by exposure to traumatic events, such as warfare, sexual assault, or severe accidents
• PTSD can result from any event that a person finds traumatic (violence, major car accidents, major health events, natural disasters, military experiences)
• What is complex PTSD?

  Develops in subset of people with PTSD

  Usually after exposure to event or series of events of an extremely threatening or horrific nature. Most commonly prolonged/repetitive events where escape is difficult or impossible.
• What is different about the symptoms of complex PTSD?

  Core symptoms of PTSD and...

  • severe & pervasive problems in affect regulation (ability to regulate emotional state & behaviour)
  • persistent beliefs about themselves as diminished, defeated or worthless with deep feeling of shame, guilt or failure related to the traumatic event
  • persistent difficulties sustaining relationships & feeling close to others
• What are the RFs of PTSD?

  Exposure to traumatic event

  Severity of the incident (more severe -> increased chance of developing PTSD)

  Female

  Younger age (older adults have lower risk of developing PTSD than younger adults)

  Previous Hx of trauma

  Presence of multiple major life stressors

  Low social support & social disadvantage

  Hx of mental health disorder
• What are the complications associated with PTSD?

  Mental health disorders (depression, substance misuse, psychosis etc)

  Increased rates of physical health disorders (cancer, chronic pain, CVD, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, HTM, dementia)

  Adverse social consequences (unemployment, poverty, problematic relationships)
• What are the symptoms of PTSD with children?

  Dreams of the trauma

  Re-living the trauma in their play

  Sleeping problems (inc secondary enuresis or separation anxiety)

  Losing interest in things that they previously enjoyed (anhedonia)

  Expressing in belief that they will not live long enough to grow up