PYC4802
Exam
Student number: 62295721
, 62295721
Question 1
Covid-19 has led to an increase in mental health problems in the world. One of them
being Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We will have a look at the criteria for
PTSD as well as the difficulties clinicians may experience when it comes to diagnosing
PTSD within the South African Context.
When we look at the criteria for PTSD and how we can diagnose it, we will have a look
at the DSM-5. The DSM-5 states that there should at least be one symptom present
from each five categories. Thereafter the next category will assess the duration of the
symptoms.
The first criteria only 1 symptom is required, and this category refers to a stressor in a
person’s life. This may mean that the person had been exposed to death or serious
injuries. This also means that if the person had been exposed one of the four may be
applicable to them. The four categories are they have either been directly exposed,
they have witnessed it, someone close to them have been exposed or indirect
exposure that occurred repeatedly.
The second criteria only 1 symptom is required, and this category refers to intrusion
symptoms. This is where a traumatic event will be experienced over and over. This
also means that if the person had experienced this one of the four may be applicable
to them. The four categories are intrusive memories, traumatic nightmares, flashbacks
or stress that prolongs after the exposure had happened.
The third criteria 2 symptoms are required, this category refers to negative alterations
in cognition and in mood. This means that mood had started to get worse after the
traumatic event had occurred. This means that if the person experiences two of the
symptoms it might be applicable to them. The symptoms are that the person might not
be able to recall certain features that happened during this event. Another symptom
might be that negative emotions are persistent for instance fear or shame. There is
also the symptom of feeling detached from other people around you, another one is
the person keeps on feeling negative about themselves. The last one is that the person
blames themselves or even others for the event that happened.
The fourth criteria only 1 symptom is required. This category refers to avoidance. This
is where the person avoids events that might be trauma related for them. This means
1
Exam
Student number: 62295721
, 62295721
Question 1
Covid-19 has led to an increase in mental health problems in the world. One of them
being Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We will have a look at the criteria for
PTSD as well as the difficulties clinicians may experience when it comes to diagnosing
PTSD within the South African Context.
When we look at the criteria for PTSD and how we can diagnose it, we will have a look
at the DSM-5. The DSM-5 states that there should at least be one symptom present
from each five categories. Thereafter the next category will assess the duration of the
symptoms.
The first criteria only 1 symptom is required, and this category refers to a stressor in a
person’s life. This may mean that the person had been exposed to death or serious
injuries. This also means that if the person had been exposed one of the four may be
applicable to them. The four categories are they have either been directly exposed,
they have witnessed it, someone close to them have been exposed or indirect
exposure that occurred repeatedly.
The second criteria only 1 symptom is required, and this category refers to intrusion
symptoms. This is where a traumatic event will be experienced over and over. This
also means that if the person had experienced this one of the four may be applicable
to them. The four categories are intrusive memories, traumatic nightmares, flashbacks
or stress that prolongs after the exposure had happened.
The third criteria 2 symptoms are required, this category refers to negative alterations
in cognition and in mood. This means that mood had started to get worse after the
traumatic event had occurred. This means that if the person experiences two of the
symptoms it might be applicable to them. The symptoms are that the person might not
be able to recall certain features that happened during this event. Another symptom
might be that negative emotions are persistent for instance fear or shame. There is
also the symptom of feeling detached from other people around you, another one is
the person keeps on feeling negative about themselves. The last one is that the person
blames themselves or even others for the event that happened.
The fourth criteria only 1 symptom is required. This category refers to avoidance. This
is where the person avoids events that might be trauma related for them. This means
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