NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Example Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Example Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Example

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder triggered by traumatic experiences, resulting in intrusive recollections and heightened emotional arousal. This paper investigates the case of PTSD in an 8-year-old male patient named Joe, who developed the condition following a minor car accident and subsequent pursuit. Despite the apparent low-level trauma exposure, Joe manifested marked PTSD symptoms. This paper aims to explore the neurological underpinnings of PTSD, the diagnostic framework outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), and effective therapeutic approaches, in addition to an alternative psychotherapeutic treatment modality and its clinical implications.

Neurobiological Basis for PTSD

The etiology of PTSD is proposed to involve a complex interplay of multiple factors triggered by a series of traumatic life experiences. Neurobiologically, PTSD is characterized by alterations in the brain’s stress response system, primarily affecting the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (Harnett et al., 2020). The amygdala, which processes emotional experiences such as fear, exhibits heightened activation, resulting in increased anxiety and hypervigilance.

The hippocampus, a structure essential for memory formation and regulation, frequently shows signs of atrophy, impacting the ability to contextualize memories (Harnett et al., 2020). Lastly, the prefrontal cortex, involved in executive functions and rational decision-making, demonstrates diminished activity, compromising the capacity to regulate emotional responses (Harnett et al., 2020). The neurobiological changes elicited by trauma culminate in the enduring recollection of the precipitating events, the avoidance of trauma-associated cues, adverse shifts in mood and cognition, and heightened physiological arousal – all hallmarks of PTSD.

DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD

The DSM-5 outlines the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, which include exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence; the presence of intrusive symptoms such as distressing memories or flashbacks; persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event; negative changes in cognitions and mood; and marked alterations in arousal and response.

To diagnose PTSD, these symptoms must be present for longer than one month and result in substantial distress or dysfunction in social, occupational, or other crucial areas of life (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Schrader & Ross, 2021). Furthermore, the symptoms must not be better accounted for by the physiological consequences of substance abuse or any other medical or psychiatric condition.

Relating DSM-5-TR Criteria to the Case Study

The subject in the case study presented several characteristic symptoms of PTSD. Joe experienced intrusive recollections of the accident and pursuit, exhibited anxiety prompted by reminders of the incident, and reported disrupted sleep owing to nightmares. Furthermore, he demonstrated physical aggression and emotional volatility, commensurate with the criteria for hyperarousal and reactivity. Based on the symptoms presented in the video case, there is sufficient evidence to determine a PTSD diagnosis. Joe’s symptoms align with the DSM-5 criteria for intrusion, avoidance, negative changes in mood and cognition, and hyperarousal, all of which stem from his traumatic experience.

Other Diagnoses in the Case Presentation

The case presentation further highlighted several other potential diagnoses for the patient, including Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Separation Anxiety Disorder, and a specific phobia of spiders. While some concurrent conditions, such as ADHD and phobias, may be reasonably supported, the co-occurrence of ODD and Conduct Disorder warrants careful reconsideration. Prioritizing the treatment of PTSD as the primary diagnosis could help elucidate the presence and impact of any other underlying conditions.

Alternative Psychotherapy Treatment: EMDR

An alternative psychotherapy treatment for Joe could be Eye Movement Desensitization and