NRNP 6645 WEEK 9 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
NRNP 6645 WEEK 9 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an example of a trauma and stressor-related disorder characterized by anxiety and restlessness. The condition is also associated with behavioral issues, adolescent substance abuse issues, and physical ailments. The purpose of this paper is to describe the neurobiological basis of PTSD, review a case study and diagnostic criteria, and a psychotherapeutic treatment.
Neurobiological Basis of PTSD
Psychological stressors are the main trigger for PTSD pathogenesis. Psychologic stress causes an increase in cortisol that activates a pro-inflammatory state in the body by increasing interleukin (IL) levels. ILs induce neuroplasticity in several brain regions, such as the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus, responsible for mood and emotional regulation (Al Jowf et al., 2023). For example, elevated IL-6 levels have been associated with amygdala hypertrophy, hippocampal synaptic loss, and downregulation in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), resulting in anxiety and behavioral disturbance. Furthermore, prolonged stress exposure disrupts glutamate, serotonin, and noradrenaline neurotransmission, increasing extracellular neurotransmitters and excitotoxicity. The excitotoxicity precipitates neuronal atrophy and reduces the dendritic length, synaptic density, and neurotransmission strength, causing behavioral abnormalities or mood and anxiety dysregulation.
DSM-V Criteria
The DSM-V criteria for diagnosis of PTSD include direct or indirect exposure to the traumatic event, intrusive, arousal, or avoidance symptoms, and alterations in cognition or mood due to trauma. Intrusive symptoms include distressing memories or dreams and flashbacks, while avoidance symptoms include efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, and external reminders of the event. (Schrader et al., 2021). Cognition or mood symptoms include selective
amnesia, persistent negative emotional state, and anhedonia. Furthermore, patients can experience alterations in arousal and reactivity, such as irritability, anger outbursts, recklessness,
hypervigilance, problems with concentration, and sleep disturbance. According to the case, Joe meets the DSM-V criteria for PTSD diagnosis. Joe was directly exposed to the event and has been having intrusive memories, arousal symptoms such as trouble sleeping and nightmares, and avoidance symptoms whenever the street or car is mentioned.
Other diagnoses given after the event include conduct, oppositional defiant, major
depression, and separation anxiety disorders. I would also agree with the diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder, as Joe has been experiencing nightmares about the event and feels the need to sleep with his father event (Danese et al., 2020). The reaction would be due to fear of losing his only remaining parent. However, the diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder may be inaccurate as the irritability and mood symptoms may have been a result of the recent. Joe does not meet the diagnostic criterion of major depression as he has not had a depressed mood, weight changes, or fatigue, among other depression symptoms.
Psychotherapy in PTSD
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is one of the forms of psychotherapy used in PTSD treatment. CPT focuses on how the traumatic event happened and the patient’s coping mechanisms. The cognitive therapy techniques focus on faulty thoughts related to traumatic events and allow the patient to identify and analyze their emotions (Thomas et al., 2023). In addition, CPT enables the patient to identify and address thoughts that may prevent recovery. The therapist also equips the patient with several cognitive skills he can use to aim for recovery. However, despite the use of CPT, the American Psychiatrist Association (APA) recommends trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the goal standard treatment option for PTSD (Schrader et al., 2021). It is crucial to use goal-standard treatment as it reflects evidence-based practices from research to ensure patients receive the most effective interventions that have positive outcomes.
Conclusion
PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that follows exposure to a traumatic event. Its pathogenesis is associated with elevated cortisol levels due to chronic stress. APA has advocated for the use of trauma-focused CBT as the mainstay psychotherapy method as it has shown better results with PTSD patients.
References
Al Jowf, G. I., Ahmed, Z. T., Reijnders, R. A., & T. Eijssen, L. M. (2023). To Predict, Prevent, and Manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Review of Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Biomarkers. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065238
Danese, A., McLaughlin, K. A., Samara, M., & Stover, C. S. (2020). Toxic Stress and PTSD in Children: Psychopathology in children exposed to trauma: Detection and intervention needed to reduce downstream burden. The BMJ, 371. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3073
Schrader, C., & Ross, A. (2021). A Review of PTSD and Current Treatment Strategies. Missouri Medicine, 118(6), 546-551. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8672952/
Thomas, F. C., Loskot, T., Mutschler, C., Burdo, J., Lagdamen, J., Sijercic, I., M. Lane, J. E., Liebman, R. E., Finley, E. P., Monson, C. M., & Wiltsey-Stirman, S. (2023). Initiating Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in Community Settings: A Qualitative Investigation of Therapist Decision-Making. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 50(1), 137-150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-022-01229-8
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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
It is estimated that more almost 7% of the U.S. population will experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their lifetime (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). This debilitating disorder often interferes with an individual’s ability to function in daily life. Common symptoms of anxiousness and depression frequently lead to behavioral issues, adolescent substance abuse issues, and even physical ailments. For this Assignment, you examine a PTSD video case study and consider how you might assess and treat clients presenting with PTSD.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
- American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
- Links to an external site. (5th ed., text rev.). https://go.openathens.net/redirector/waldenu.edu?url=https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org/doi/book/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
- “Culture and Psychiatric Diagnosis”
- American Psychiatric Association. (2017). Clinical practice guideline of PTSD
- Links to an external site.. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach
- Download SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. https://ncsacw.samhsa.gov/userfiles/files/SAMHSA_Trauma.pdf
Credit: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4884. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014. - Tye, S., Van Voorhees, E., Hu, C., & Lineberry, T. (2015). Preclinical perspectives on posttraumatic stress disorder criteria in DSM-5
- Download Preclinical perspectives on posttraumatic stress disorder criteria in DSM-5. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 23(1), 51–58. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4542003/
Credit: Preclinical Perspectives on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Criteria in DSM-5 by Susannah Tye, PhD, Elizabeth Van Voorhees, PhD, Chunling Hu, MD, PhD, and Timothy Lineberry, MD, in HARVARD REVIEW OF PSYCHIATRY, Vol. 23/Issue 1. Copyright 2015 by ROUTLEDGE. Reprinted by permission of ROUTLEDGE via the Copyright Clearance Center. - Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2020). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing.
- Chapter 3, “Assessment and Diagnosis” (Previously read in Week 2)
- Chapter 7, “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy”
- Chapter 11, “Trauma Resiliency Model Therapy”
- Chapter 15, “Trauma-Informed Medication Management”
- Chapter 17, “Stabilization for Trauma and Dissociation”
- Chapter 18, “Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Complex Trauma”
Required Media
- Grande, T. (2019, August 21). Presentation example: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkSv_zPH-M4
- Gift from Within. (Producer). (2008). PTSD and veterans: A conversation with Dr. Frank Ochberg
- Links to an external site. [Video]. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/waldenu.edu?url=https://video.alexanderstreet.com/watch/ptsd-and-veterans-a-conversation-with-dr-frank-ochberg
- Know & Grow with Dr. K. (2021, July 18). Does your child suffer from post traumatic stress disorder?
- Links to an external site. (Strictly Medical-English Version). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o98ilXH5gto
To prepare:
- Review this week’s Learning Resources and reflect on the insights they provide about diagnosing and treating PTSD.
- View the media Presentation Example: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and assess the client in the case study.
- For guidance on assessing the client, refer to Chapter 3 of the Wheeler text.
Note: To complete this Assignment, you must assess the client, but you are not required to submit a formal comprehensive client assessment.
The Assignment
Succinctly, in 1–2 pages, address the following:
- Briefly explain the neurobiological basis for PTSD illness.
- Discuss the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD and relate these criteria to the symptomology presented in the case study. Does the video case presentation provide sufficient information to derive a PTSD diagnosis? Justify your reasoning. Do you agree with the other diagnoses in the case presentation? Why or why not?
- Discuss one other psychotherapy treatment option for the client in this case study. Explain whether your treatment option is considered a “gold standard treatment” from a clinical practice guideline perspective, and why using gold standard, evidence-based treatments from clinical practice guidelines is important for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.
Support your Assignment with specific examples from this week’s media and at least three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources. Explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Attach the PDFs of your sources.
By Day 7
Submit your Assignment. Also attach and submit PDFs of the sources you used.
submission information
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- To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as WK9Assgn_LastName_Firstinitial
- Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page.
- Next, click on Upload File and select Submit Assignment for review.
Rubric
NRNP_6645_Week9_Assignment_Rubric
Criteria | Ratings | Pts | ||||
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This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Succinctly, in 1–2 pages, address the following:• Briefly explain the neurobiological basis for PTSD illness. |
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15 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome • Discuss the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD and relate these criteria to the symptomology presented in the case study. Does the video case presentation provide sufficient information to derive a PTSD diagnosis? Justify your reasoning. Do you agree with the other diagnoses in the case presentation? Why or why not? |
|
25 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome • Discuss one other psychotherapy treatment option for the client in this case study. Explain whether your treatment option is considered a “gold standard” treatment from a clinical practice guideline perspective, and why using gold standard, evidence-based treatments from clinical practice guidelines is important for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners. |
|
30 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome · Support your approach with specific examples from this week’s media and at least three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources. PDFs are attached. |
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15 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused—neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria. |
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5 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation |
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5 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. |
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5 pts | ||||
Total Points: 100 |