Exam - Answer Pyc4802

PYC4802

2011/2012 Exam

SECTION B

Question 3

Theme 2 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

a) Briefly describe the diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)​(10)

b) Discuss the diagnosis of PTSD with regard to the following aspects:

• Developmental stage

• Co-morbidity

• Delayed onset

• Socio-economic status

• Substance abuse

• The culture of violence in SA​(15)

​[25]

Answer

a) Firstly, A person must have been exposed to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one or more of the following ways: directly experiencing the traumatic event(s); witnessing in person the event(s) as it occurs to others; learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend; experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s). (Not including electronic media for people who don’t work in that profession).

Secondly, the trauma is relived through intrusive and distressing recollections of the event, dissociative reactions such as flashbacks in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event(s) were recurring, nightmares relating to the traumatic event(s), intense physiological reactivity or distress when exposed to reminders of the event.

Thirdly, Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred. People may withdraw emotionally and may avoid anything that might remind them of the event(s).

Fourthly, Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s), as evidenced by two or more of the following: inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event(s) (typically due to dissociative amnesia and not to other factors such as head injury, alcohol or drugs); persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world; persistent distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s)...