Lecture Notes on Trauma and Stress-Related
Disorders
Introduction
Obsessive-compulsive behaviors are observed in both humans and
animals.
Animals may exhibit similar self-destructive behaviors without conscious
obsession.
Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
Definition of Trauma: Overwhelming stress, e.g., witnessing a murder or
living in a war zone.
Stress Levels: High stress levels can escalate to trauma.
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
Characteristics:
Emotionally withdrawn behavior towards caregivers.
Minimal social and emotional responsiveness.
Episodes of unexplained irritability, sadness, or fear.
Diagnostic Criteria:
Evident before age five, with developmental age of at least nine
months.
Requires pathogenic care, primarily social neglect.
Effects:
Hinders forming healthy attachments, affecting interpersonal
relations.
May coincide with developmental delays or medical conditions like
severe malnutrition.
Differential Diagnosis:
Must differentiate from autism and intellectual development disorders.
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
Symptoms:
Over-familiarity with strangers.•
Lack of reticence when interacting with adults.
Willingness to wander away with unfamiliar adults.
Causes: Often arises from extreme insufficient care, not necessarily
neglect.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Causes: Exposure to life-threatening events like combat, abuse, or
serious accidents.
Symptoms:
Re-experiencing through flashbacks or nightmares.
Avoidance of reminders of the trauma.
Disorders
Introduction
Obsessive-compulsive behaviors are observed in both humans and
animals.
Animals may exhibit similar self-destructive behaviors without conscious
obsession.
Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
Definition of Trauma: Overwhelming stress, e.g., witnessing a murder or
living in a war zone.
Stress Levels: High stress levels can escalate to trauma.
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
Characteristics:
Emotionally withdrawn behavior towards caregivers.
Minimal social and emotional responsiveness.
Episodes of unexplained irritability, sadness, or fear.
Diagnostic Criteria:
Evident before age five, with developmental age of at least nine
months.
Requires pathogenic care, primarily social neglect.
Effects:
Hinders forming healthy attachments, affecting interpersonal
relations.
May coincide with developmental delays or medical conditions like
severe malnutrition.
Differential Diagnosis:
Must differentiate from autism and intellectual development disorders.
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
Symptoms:
Over-familiarity with strangers.•
Lack of reticence when interacting with adults.
Willingness to wander away with unfamiliar adults.
Causes: Often arises from extreme insufficient care, not necessarily
neglect.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Causes: Exposure to life-threatening events like combat, abuse, or
serious accidents.
Symptoms:
Re-experiencing through flashbacks or nightmares.
Avoidance of reminders of the trauma.
