Etiology/Prevalance
an area of the brain affected by PTSD is the _____
Hippocampus (limbic system)
Trauma and Stress Related Disorders
The four major symptoms clusters of PTSD are intrusion, persistent avoidance, persistent negative thoughts and feelings, and marked alterations in arousal and reactivity.
________ symptoms are involuntary, distressing, and reoccurring recollections of the traumatic event with or without a trigger.
Intrusion symptoms
Intrusion = the re-experiencing of a traumatic memory.
True of false: the occupational outcomes are the same for all individuals living with PTSD
false
Common co-morbid conditions with PTSD include:
depression and anxiety
Are more men or women affected by PTSD?
Women (8%) and 4% of men
6% of Americans
True or False: The traumatic event has to be directly experienced by the individual in order for PTSD to be diagnosed?
False!
The traumatic event can be directly experienced OR WITNESSED OR LEARNED ABOUT
True or false: Dissociation refers to a wide range of occurrences during which one experiences an altered state of consciousness.
True :)
Name 3 areas of occupation that are impacted for June due to her PTSD
1. IADLs -- Grocery shopping, caring for her daughters
2. leisure -- going to loud places
3. Health management -- emotion reg.
What is a challenge to treating veterans with PTSD?
STIGMA ! the word “disorder” makes many soldiers who are experiencing PTSD symptoms reluctant to ask for help.
It is not uncommon that individuals who serve in the armed forces may experience the same traumatic event, and some individuals develop PTSD whereas others do not. What does this tell us about the etiology?
There is some sort of genetic predisposition
In order for PTSD to be diagnosed symptoms must occur for _____ (time duration).
At least a month
This population of individuals with PTSD may or may not demonstrate significant distress when experiencing intrusive memories, which are often reenacted during play.
Children
Individuals with PTSD may receive occupational therapy services across a large variety of settings. Name 3 of these settings.
1. acute-, short-, and long-term-care facilities (e.g., hospitals, rehabilitation centers)
2.partial hospitalization programs
3. outpatient clinics
4. schools
5. adoption and foster care agencies
6. day programs
7. supported work environments
8. community-based programs
9. home care
10. residential programs
11. club houses
12. forensic settings
13. independent living and skilled nursing facilities 14. military-based settings such as Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals.
What factors may predict a better prognosis for PTSD?
1. intact premorbid function
2. less severe trauma
3. positive outlook on life
4. good support systems
True or false: childhood trauma may trigger personality disorders and interpersonal difficulties
true
____ _____ _____ is diagnosed within the first month following the traumatic event. If the symptoms continue after 1 month, PTSD is diagnosed
Acute Stress Disorder
True or false: A symptom of PTSD is decreased arousal which leads to disrupted sleep, poor concentration, irritability, hyper vigilance and distractibility
False: Increased arousal
Name 3 interventions OTs may use when treating a client with PTSD
1. grounding strategies for flashbacks
2. CBT/DBT
3. psychodynamic groups
4. expressive therapies
5. yoga/tai chi
True or false? Childhood traumas have a worse prognosis than adult traumas
true. childhood traumas often affect functionality across one’s life span
Does PTSD alter an individuals brain? OR do certain individuals have brain abnormalities that predispose them to PTSD?
Both!
Certain individuals may have a predisposition to PTSD due to genetics and CNS dysfunction, however some experts speculate that the trauma itself may alter the persons brain
____ _____ is a term that is applied to the diagnosis when the diagnostic criteria are not met until at least 6 months after the traumatic event(s).
delayed expression
Name 3 symptoms of PTSD that June is displaying
1. Disrupted sleep
2. emotional distress
3. avoidance
ROLE PLAY (Sorry)
You are the OT and a client with PTSD comes to you because their flashbacks are impacting their ability to engage in everyday occupations. You decide to educate the client on grounding techniques to use when having flashbacks. What does this look like?
1. deep breathing
2. counting
3. squeezing (Stress ball/stuffed animal)
4. feeling (the floor or back of chair)
5. listening (to music, sounds)
6. sipping cold water/chewing on ice
7. noticing surroundings
20-50% of individuals exposed to trauma