Therapy & Interventions
This therapy helps patients develop a less excessively negative assessment of the trauma and modify perceived catastrophic consequences.
What is trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
This medication class is first-line pharmacotherapy for PTSD. Bonus 100 pts: Two specific medications listed in the lecture are Zoloft and Paxil - list their scientific names.
What are SSRIs?
Bonus: What are sertraline and paroxetine?
This is the main treatment for adjustment disorder.
What is psychotherapy?
When specifically indicated, targeted medication or other symptom-directed interventions can help. Medication may be considered when specific symptoms, risks, or comorbidities warrant it.
This treatment involves carefully confronting trauma-related memories or reminders through methods such as writing, talking, or virtual reality.
What is exposure therapy or prolonged exposure?
This α₁-adrenergic antagonist may be added specifically for trauma-related sleep disturbance and nightmares.
What is prazosin?
Prazosin blocks the action of norepinephrine on blood vessels and smooth muscle. This causes blood vessels to widen, lowering blood pressure. It also crosses into the brain to reduce trauma nightmares. Common side effects include dizziness, headaches, and drowsiness.
These two interventions may help acute stress disorder and potentially reduce progression to PTSD, whereas mandatory single-session psychological debriefing is not recommended.
What are CBT and supportive psychotherapy?
Extra info: Single-session psychological debriefing is not recommended for ASD because it is believed to cause patients to relive and reinforce traumatic memories.
Name four evidence-supported psychotherapeutic approaches identified for treating PTSD.
Any three of the following:
What are trauma-focused CBT, exposure therapy, cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and/or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)?
Name the medication class that should be avoided in PTSD because it lacks benefit and may be harmful. Then, name three alternative antidepressant classes or agents that have at least some proven benefit against PTSD.
What are benzodiazepines?
What are SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, mirtazapine, nefazodone, and/or the MAOI phenelzine?
A patient develops acute stress symptoms after a prolonged ICU admission. Name 1) two potentially helpful medication classes, 2) two recommended psychotherapeutic approaches, and 3) one early intervention that lacks evidence or may worsen symptoms.
What are 1) SSRIs or SNRIs; 2) CBT or supportive psychotherapy; and 3) psychological debriefing (or ANY single-session technique), which are not recommended because they may be ineffective or increase symptoms?
Extra info: CBT is a structured, goal-directed treatment that actively teaches you to modify specific negative thoughts and behaviors. Supportive psychotherapy is a gentler, less directive approach that focuses on empathy, validation, and emotional stabilization during difficult times without heavy skill drills.