definition of ptsd

Introduction

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant mental health condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events. It is characterized by a range of symptoms including re-experiencing the trauma, avoidance behaviors, hyperarousal, and cognitive disturbances. This synthesis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of PTSD by summarizing key insights from multiple research papers.

Key Insights

Definition and Diagnostic Criteria:
- PTSD is defined as an anxiety disorder triggered by exposure to extreme stressors, which can include actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. The stressor can be experienced directly, witnessed, or learned about if it happened to a close associate .
- Symptoms include re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoidance of reminders, hyperarousal, and cognitive and mood disturbances .
Complex PTSD:
- Complex PTSD, or Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS), is proposed for individuals who have experienced prolonged and repeated trauma, such as captivity or chronic abuse. This form of PTSD includes additional symptoms like emotional dysregulation and interpersonal difficulties .
Biological and Physiological Aspects:
- PTSD is associated with various physiological disturbances, including neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and immune system dysfunctions. Brain imaging studies have identified changes in brain circuitry related to PTSD symptoms .
- There is increasing evidence linking PTSD to neuroinflammation, with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines observed in patients.
Cognitive and Emotional Interactions:
- PTSD affects cognitive processes such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. Emotional trauma can lead to long-term cognitive deficits, and PTSD patients often exhibit heightened threat detection and interpretation of neutral stimuli as threatening.
Social and Interpersonal Contexts:
- PTSD symptoms and recovery are influenced by social and interpersonal contexts, including relationships with partners, family, and the broader community. Social support and interpersonal interactions play a crucial role in the development and recovery from PTSD.

Conclusion

PTSD is a multifaceted disorder that arises from exposure to traumatic events and is characterized by a range of psychological and physiological symptoms. It can manifest in both acute and complex forms, with the latter resulting from prolonged trauma. Biological, cognitive, and social factors all contribute to the development and persistence of PTSD. Understanding these diverse aspects is essential for developing effective treatments and support systems for individuals affected by this disorder.

Definition of ptsd

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Biological studies of post-traumatic stress disorder

PTSD is a complex biological phenomenon involving physiological, cellular, and molecular responses to environmental events, with a known cause and a growing understanding of its impact.

Complex PTSD: A syndrome in survivors of prolonged and repeated trauma.

Prolonged, repeated trauma is a complex form of post-traumatic disorder, with potential for inclusion in the DSM-IV under the name DESNOS.

PTSD and stress sensitisation: A tale of brain and body Part 1: Human studies

PTSD is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by hyperarousal, re-experiencing of traumatic events, and various physiological disturbances, with potential links to individual traits and disability.

Epidemiology of PTSD

PTSD is a common mental health issue in individuals exposed to extreme stressors, such as death or serious injury, and is often characterized by intense fear, helplessness, or horror.

Emotion and cognition interactions in PTSD: a review of neurocognitive and neuroimaging studies

PTSD leads to memory and attention deficits, often associated with changes in functional brain activity, highlighting the need for better treatments.

Neuroinflammation in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD is linked to increased inflammation, which may contribute to its pathogenesis and treatment possibilities.

Should the current DSM-IV-TR definition for PTSD be expanded to include serial and multiple microtraumas as aetiologies?

The DSM-IV-TR should consider expanding its definition for PTSD to include multiple microtraumas, which can lead to PTSD symptoms and potentially be more destructive to psychological health.

Broadening perspectives on trauma and recovery: a socio-interpersonal view of PTSD†

This paper develops a social-interpersonal framework model of PTSD, emphasizing the importance of social affects, close relationships, and culture and society in trauma recovery and resilience research.

[What's the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?]

PTSD is a major public health issue characterized by four main dimensions: reexperiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, cognitive and mood disturbances, sleep disruption, comorbidity, and suicidal risk, and can affect anybody.

Reward functioning in PTSD: A systematic review exploring the mechanisms underlying anhedonia

Decreased reward anticipation and approach and reduced hedonic responses are observed in PTSD patients compared to healthy controls, with more frequent findings in female patients and in response to social positive stimuli.

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