Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Paper

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Paper

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Paper

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that occurs in individuals who have undergone, been exposed to a threatened trauma or witnessed a traumatic event, either physically, emotionally, or psychologically and is characterized by intrusive and distressing memories, avoidance behaviors, and hyperarousal symptoms that significantly impair an individual’s functioning and quality of life. As a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, it is crucial to have an in-depth understanding of evidence-based treatments for PTSD and their effectiveness, as well as an understanding of PTSD symptomatology in various age groups and the importance of proper diagnosis.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

Neurobiological Basis For PTSD

The neurobiological basis for PTSD involves interactions among brain chemicals and regions, including the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and other areas. The amygdala is involved in processing emotions and plays a key role in the development of PTSD. In response to a traumatic event, the amygdala becomes hyperactive, leading to an exaggerated fear response and the formation of traumatic memories (Varcarolis & Dixon, 2020). This can result in symptoms such as hyperarousal, flashbacks, and avoidance behaviors. Additionally, the hippocampus, associated with memory processing, can be affected by traumatic events. According to Misaki et al. (2021), individuals with PTSD have a smaller hippocampal volume than those without PTSD due to the damaging effects of stress hormones, cortisol, which are released during traumatic events.

The prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision-making and emotional regulation, can also be impacted by PTSD. Individuals with PTSD often have difficulty regulating their emotions and have impaired executive functioning skills that contribute to symptoms such as impulsivity and difficulties with attention and memory (Kozman, 2021). Other brain regions, such as the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex, also play a role in PTSD as the insula is involved in the perception of physical sensations, and Centanni et al. (2021) show that individuals with PTSD could have an altered insula activation in response to traumatic reminders. The anterior cingulate cortex, which is involved in regulating emotional responses, may also be implicated in PTSD (Kozman, 2021).

DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD in Relation to The Criteria Symptomology Presented in the Case Study

The DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD include exposure to a traumatic event, intrusive symptoms, avoidance symptoms, negative alterations in mood and cognition, and hyperarousal symptoms (Varcarolis & Dixon, 2020). To meet the diagnosis of PTSD, an individual must exhibit symptoms from each category for at least one month (Varcarolis & Dixon, 2020). In the case of Joe, he experienced a traumatic event, which was a minor car accident. He exhibited intrusive symptoms of distressing memories and nightmares related to the accident. He also had avoidance symptoms, as evidenced by displaying reminders of the incident and a disjointed verbal narrative of the event. Negative alterations in mood and cognition were also present, as Joe was showing more physical aggression, becoming easily frustrated, and failing to concentrate on schoolwork. Additionally, Joe was also experiencing hyperarousal symptoms, as he had difficulty sleeping, was easily startled, and exhibited physical aggression.

Based on the case study information, it is possible to diagnose Joe with PTSD, as he has been displaying symptoms from each category for over a month. The case presentation provides sufficient information to conclude a PTSD diagnosis, as Joe is exhibiting symptoms that meet the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD.

 Psychotherapy Treatment

A psychotherapy treatment option for Joe is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a psychotherapy approach that helps individuals to process traumatic memories and experiences through a series of guided eye movements, along with cognitive and emotional processing. EMDR is effective in treating PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. EMDR is considered a gold standard treatment for PTSD by several clinical practice guidelines, including the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs clinical practice guidelines (Haycraft, (2023); Morris et al., (2022). These guidelines recommend EMDR as an evidence-based treatment option for PTSD, along with other trauma-focused psychotherapies like Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy, according to Morris et al. (2022).

Using gold-standard treatments is important for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners as it ensures that their nursing practice is based on the best available evidence and provides the highest quality care to their patients. By using these guidelines to inform their practice, PMHNPs can be confident that they are providing their patients with the most effective treatments available, which can lead to better patient outcomes and improved quality of life of the patient as the guidelines are based on a comprehensive review of the available research and provide recommendations for effective treatments that have been shown to produce positive outcomes.

Conclusion

The importance of using evidence-based treatments from clinical practice guidelines for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners cannot be overstated. Using evidence-based treatments can improve treatment outcomes, reduce symptom severity, and enhance patient satisfaction. Thus, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners need to stay current with clinical practice guidelines and use evidence-based treatments to provide the best care possible for individuals with PTSD.

 References

Centanni, S. W., Janes, A. C., Haggerty, D. L., Atwood, B., & Hopf, F. W. (2021). Better living through understanding the insula: Why subregions can make all the difference. Neuropharmacology, 198(108765), 108765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108765

Haycraft, A. L. (2023). The future for psychedelic agents in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners: JNP, 19(5), 104586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2023.104586

Kozman, M. [@knowgrowwithdr.k4390]. (2021). Does your child suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? (strictly medical – English version). Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o98ilXH5gto

Misaki, M., Mulyana, B., Zotev, V., Wurfel, B. E., Krueger, F., Feldner, M., & Bodurka, J. (2021). Hippocampal volume recovery with real-time functional MRI amygdala neurofeedback emotional training for posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 283, 229–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.058

Morris, H., Hatzikiriakidis, K., Savaglio, M., Dwyer, J., Lewis, C., Miller, R., & Skouteris, H. (2022). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for the treatment and early intervention of trauma among first responders: A systematic review. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 35(3), 778–790. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22792

Varcarolis, & Dixon. (2020). Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing – Elsevier eBook on vitalsource (retail access card): A communication AP (4th ed.). Elsevier Science Publishing. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1131694358645353473

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

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.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
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.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Required Readings
• American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disordersLinks 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
o “Culture and Psychiatric Diagnosis”
• American Psychiatric Association. (2017). Clinical practice guideline of PTSDLinks 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.
o Chapter 3, “Assessment and Diagnosis” (Previously read in Week 2)
o Chapter 7, “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy”
o Chapter 11, “Trauma Resiliency Model Therapy”
o Chapter 15, “Trauma-Informed Medication Management”
o Chapter 17, “Stabilization for Trauma and Dissociation”
o 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 OchbergLinks 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

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.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE