Psych: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️ FREE MSRA PODCAST – Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)🎧 A rapid, exam-focused breakdown of PTSD: key concepts, risk factors, diagnosis, management, and complications—all based on UK MSRA revision notes.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• PTSD is a psychiatric condition after trauma, with symptoms lasting over one month.• Triggers: assault, accident, abuse, disaster, war, or witnessing violence.📌 Core Theories• Disrupted fear processing (emotional processing theory)• Traumatic memories stored differently (dual representation theory)• Negative appraisals maintain symptoms (cognitive model)📌 Complex PTSD (CPTSD)• From prolonged/repeated trauma (e.g. torture, severe abuse)• Core PTSD symptoms + problems with emotion regulation, self-belief, relationships, persistent shame/guilt📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Trauma severity, duration, proximity• Previous trauma, family history, childhood abuse/neglect• Poor social support, depression, anxiety, neurotic traits• At-risk: refugees, asylum seekers, first responders, military (esp. low rank, prolonged combat)📌 Pathophysiology• Chronic stress response: sympathetic system “on”, high cortisol• Amygdala (fear): hyperactive• Hippocampus (memory): impaired• Prefrontal cortex (emotion regulation): less active📌 Symptoms (DSM-5)• Intrusive: flashbacks, nightmares, vivid memories• Avoidance: avoiding reminders• Negative mood/cognition: amnesia, negative beliefs, detachment, self-blame• Arousal/reactivity: hypervigilance, sleep problems, anger, reckless behaviour📌 Diagnosis• Clinical assessment/interview (DSM-5/ICD-11)• No confirmatory test; use FBC, TFTs, toxicology to rule out other causes• Tools: PCL-5, IES-R, TSQ📌 Differential Diagnosis• Depression, adjustment disorder, acute stress reaction (<1 month), phobias, personality/dissociative disorders, prolonged grief disorder, neurological disease, psychosis📌 Management• First-line: Trauma-focused CBT, EMDR (trained therapists only)• Medications: SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine), venlafaxine—only if therapy not accessible/effective• Risperidone for severe/complex cases• Children: Trauma-focused CBT, EMDR if no CBT response; drug therapy only if essential• No routine “debriefing” immediately post-trauma• Ongoing info/support for patient and carers is vital📌 Prognosis & Complications• Variable—improves with early, adequate treatment and good support• Untreated: risk of chronic distress, relationship/work impairment, substance misuse, depression, anxiety, physical health problems, increased risk of suicide📎 More MSRA PTSD Revision Resources:📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/psychiatry-for-the-msra/#MSRA #MSRARevision #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQANotes #MSRAAccordions #PTSD #Psychiatry