Stress & Physiology
What is eustress?
Positive stress that motivates and enhances performance
PTSD definition
Trauma-related disorder with symptoms lasting >1 month
Trauma type
Severity, duration, interpersonal trauma
Therapy first-line
Trauma-focused psychotherapy
Dissociation defined
Disruption in memory, identity, or awareness
Define distress
Stress that overwhelms coping and impairs functioning
ASD timeframe
Symptoms occur within days and resolve within 1 month
Childhood trauma
Alters brain development and coping
Meds role
Adjunct to reduce symptom burden
Examples
Amnesia, depersonalization, derealization
Fight-flight-freeze
Automatic survival response of the autonomic nervous system
PTSD symptom clusters
Intrusion, avoidance, mood/cognition changes, hyperarousal
Occupational risk
Military, healthcare, first responders
TBI & PTSD
Overlapping symptoms complicate diagnosis
PTSD vs dissociation
Dissociation centers on identity/memory, not fear
HPA axis role
Regulates cortisol release during stress
PTSD vs ASD
Timeframe (ASD <1 month, PTSD >1 month)
Social factors
Poverty, violence, lack of support
Trauma-informed care
Safety, choice, trust, empowerment
Nursing priority
Grounding and present-moment orientation
Chronic stress effects
Immune suppression, mood disorders, cardiovascular risk
Priority nursing action
Ensure safety and support regulation
Comorbidity
Depression, substance use, anxiety
What NOT to do
Forcing trauma discussion
Common mistake
Interpreting dissociation as noncompliance