Trauma-Stressor Related Disorders

Adult Trauma

Child/Adolescent Trauma

Trauma

Definition

Experience or witness a traumatic event that the individual perceives as horrible/uncontrollable, learning traumatic event

Psychological Impact

Trauma

Fatigue

Grief

Event

Loss injury, loss of valued persons

Results

Major depression, complicated grief, persistent depressive, attachment

Event

Impact injury, events involving terror/horror

Results

Acute stress disorder, PTSD, Dissociative d/o, adjustment disorder

Event

Result

Wear + Tear, Accumulation of stress over time, prolonged neglect/abuse

Major depression, panic attacks, attachment disorder, borderline personality disorder

Acute Stress Disorder

Components

Re-experiencing

Recurrent/intruive memories, nightmares, fashbacks, psychological distress, physiological reactions

Negative mood

Hyper-arousal

Sleep disturbance, irritable behaviur, hypervigilance, concentration issues, exaggerate startle response

Avoidance

Dissociation

Reduction in awarenss of surroundings

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Symptom Clusters

Intrusive symptoms

Avoidance

Negative gcongition/Mood

Hyper-arousal

Prognosis

The longer untreated, the worse the prognosis (increased comorbiditiy/psycho-social loss)

Prognossi

60-80% will develop PTSD without treatment

Treatment

Psychological First Aid

Reassure, Rest, Replenish, Restore, Retain

Medications

Propranol/Clonindie (No benzo)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Focus on destructive cognitions

Treatment

Phase 1

Stabilitization: Manage/reduce survival mode, medication for insomnia, anger/Depression, psychoeducation

Phase 2

Integration of Traumatic Memories: Process traumatic memories, indentify distorted thnking patterns, damaged core values

Phase 3

Re-integration/Maintenance for the goal of consolidation

Pharmacotherapy

Core medications

Augmenting Medications

First Line

SSRIs: Proxetine, sertraline, fluoxetine

SNRIs- Venlafaxine

Second line

SNRIs: Duloxetine, Desvenlafaxine

NASSA - Mirtazapine

Insomnia

Trazadone, Mirtazapine, Zopiclone, Seroquel

Nightmares

Prazosin, Nabilone

Psychotherapy

Compoentsn

Psychoeducations

Common reactiosn to trauma/etiology of PTSD, emotions, psychological processes

Exposure

Cognitive restructuring

Core Beliefs: Working on beliefs

Skills Training (Relaxation, assertivenes, communication)

Activation (social, recreational, work)

Lifestyle

Lifestyle changes

Substance use,e xercise, diet, recreation/socialization

Psychoeducation for family

Couples/Family intervnetion

Support Groups

Differences compared to adults

Intrusive thoughts

Shows re-experience symptoms by repetitive play/re-enactment

Flashbakcs carely seen

Nightmares content may not be related to traumatic event

Negative Alterations in Cognitions

Increased frequency of negative emotion

Diminished interest in activities

Socially withdrawn behaviour

Persistent reduction in epxpression of positive emotions

Arousal Symptoms

Reckless, or self-destructive behaviour criteria is removed for children

Distress

Specifies relationships with parents, siblings, peers, caregivers, with school bheaviour

PTSD

Associated Features

Preschool Age

Withdrawal, Denial, Participation, Anxious attachment, regression to previous level, relatively brief grieving period

School Age

Lowered intellectual functioning, obsessive talking about incident, isolation, constant anxiety, behavioural issues, problems relating to peers

Adolescents

Premature closure of identity formation, acting-out behaviour, self-criticism, fear of repetition of event in future

Assessment

History

Type of Trauma, risk facotrs, protective facotrs, gathering informations from adults, assess comorbidities

Risk Factors

Degree of exposure, previous illness/trauma, parents severe reaction, insecure or disorganized attachment

Protective Factors

Intelligence, affect regulation, social support, self-esteem, child's beleif that his situation is secure

Further Assessment

Gather information from adults

Assess co-morbidities

Assess parents mental state

Assess functional level

Treatment

Phase 1

Safety/Stabilization: Safety in child's enviornment, psycho-education, stress management, affective expression, cognitive coping skills, meidcation for co-morbidities

Phase 2

Target: Re-experiencing symptoms, trauma experience

Phase 3

Consolidation/Resilience: Integration into social network

Pharmacotherapy

Should not be used unless to treat comorbidity

First Line

SSRI: Sertraline, fluoxetine, proxetine

SNRI: Venlafaxine

Psychotherapy

Compoennts

Parental Treatment, Relaxation, Affective expression, Cognitive coping, trauma narrative, In vivo desensitization, Conjoint child, Enhancing safety

Lifestyle/SOcial Changes

Lifestyle

Diet, sleep hygiene, substance use, social activities

Social

Psychoeducation, family therapy, school intervention, gorup therapy