While brain injuries from concussions in the NFL have garnered a lot of attention, experts are now studying similar injuries in domestic abuse victims. A Phoenix hospital has launched a program to assist survivors who have suffered head trauma. (Aug. 23)

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All right, as a quick recap. Both PTSD and acute stress disorder can occur in individuals who have either directly experienced or witnessed one or prolonged traumatic events, or heard about a traumatic event that involved a close family member or friend.

Symptoms include recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive memories associated with nightmares or flashbacks; as well as intense psychological distress or physical reactions; hypervigilance or hyperarousal; avoidance behavior; and negative alterations in thinking or mood.

What sets PTSD apart from acute stress disorder is that in PTSD, the symptoms must last for more than one month, while in acute stress disorder, they should last at least three days but less than 1 month following the traumatic event.

In adjustment disorders there are emotional or behavioral symptoms that develop within 3 months of a stressful or life-changing event and resolve within 6 months.

Treatment of trauma and stress-related disorders typically includes cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes.

If these treatment options fail, individuals can be treated with medications, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and less commonly prazosin.

Okay, back to our case. Amelia is a 31 year old female that has been experiencing sleep disturbances due to vivid nightmares.

A very important clue here is that her symptoms began four months ago, after witnessing an armed bank robbery.

In addition, since then, Amelia has been displaying avoidance behavior related to crowded places that remind her of the traumatic event.

This, along with her hyperarousal symptoms, such as jumping at sudden or loud noises like a phone ringing, make this a pretty straightforward case of post- traumatic stress disorder.
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