Running Head: WEEK 9 ASSIGNMENT 1
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Student Name:
Course: NRNP 6645: Psychotherapy with Multiple Modalities
Week 9: Assignment
Walden University
This study source was downloaded by 100000898182462 from CourseHero.com on 05-03-2025 12:49:28 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248881819/486docx/
, WEEK 9 ASSIGNMENT 2
Introduction
Posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD) are the psychiatric disorders that are experienced
after a traumatic event, for example sudden death of a loved one, rape, war, terrorist act, serious
accident, sexual violence, natural disaster or a serious injury. The purpose of this paper is to
discuss the neurobiological basis for PTSD illness along with its DSM 5 criteria. The paper will
also analyze the provided case study and will determine the alignment of diagnoses with the case
presentation. The psychotherapy treatment option will also be discussed along with the
significance of gold standard treatment for psychiatric patients.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Neurobiological Basis for PTSD Illness
The neurobiological basis for PTSD illness is related to the symptoms of PTSD. As the
symptoms of PTSD are observed after a traumatic event therefore the hypothesis has revealed
that certain changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis occurs in the patients of PTSD
(Malejko, Abler, Plener & Straub, 2017). It is also evaluated that abnormal down regulation of
cortisol occurs and the levels of corticotrophin releasing hormone are increased. Increased levels
of adrenocorticotropic hormone causes the release of glucocorticoids in response. As a result the
hippocampal atrophy is promoted. This hypothesis was made on the basis of neuroimaging
studies that showed reduced hippocampal volumes in PTSD patients. Fewer studies have also
mentioned that these neurobiological changes are linked with the altered mechanisms of core
symptoms of PTSD, such as hyper-arousal and extinction, avoidance behavior and flashbacks of
traumatic events. The sudden flashbacks of the traumatic event can also trigger the conditioned
fear response which increases the intensity of the PTSD symptoms (Malejko, Abler, Plener &
Straub, 2017).
This study source was downloaded by 100000898182462 from CourseHero.com on 05-03-2025 12:49:28 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248881819/486docx/
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Student Name:
Course: NRNP 6645: Psychotherapy with Multiple Modalities
Week 9: Assignment
Walden University
This study source was downloaded by 100000898182462 from CourseHero.com on 05-03-2025 12:49:28 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248881819/486docx/
, WEEK 9 ASSIGNMENT 2
Introduction
Posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD) are the psychiatric disorders that are experienced
after a traumatic event, for example sudden death of a loved one, rape, war, terrorist act, serious
accident, sexual violence, natural disaster or a serious injury. The purpose of this paper is to
discuss the neurobiological basis for PTSD illness along with its DSM 5 criteria. The paper will
also analyze the provided case study and will determine the alignment of diagnoses with the case
presentation. The psychotherapy treatment option will also be discussed along with the
significance of gold standard treatment for psychiatric patients.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Neurobiological Basis for PTSD Illness
The neurobiological basis for PTSD illness is related to the symptoms of PTSD. As the
symptoms of PTSD are observed after a traumatic event therefore the hypothesis has revealed
that certain changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis occurs in the patients of PTSD
(Malejko, Abler, Plener & Straub, 2017). It is also evaluated that abnormal down regulation of
cortisol occurs and the levels of corticotrophin releasing hormone are increased. Increased levels
of adrenocorticotropic hormone causes the release of glucocorticoids in response. As a result the
hippocampal atrophy is promoted. This hypothesis was made on the basis of neuroimaging
studies that showed reduced hippocampal volumes in PTSD patients. Fewer studies have also
mentioned that these neurobiological changes are linked with the altered mechanisms of core
symptoms of PTSD, such as hyper-arousal and extinction, avoidance behavior and flashbacks of
traumatic events. The sudden flashbacks of the traumatic event can also trigger the conditioned
fear response which increases the intensity of the PTSD symptoms (Malejko, Abler, Plener &
Straub, 2017).
This study source was downloaded by 100000898182462 from CourseHero.com on 05-03-2025 12:49:28 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248881819/486docx/
