The Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Self-Identified South Asians
Diagnosis of PTSD
What does PTSD affect?
Physicians often examine the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus for signs of trauma.
1: The prefrontal cortex processes and regulates the emotional reactions coming from the amygdala, and it often doesn’t function well when a patient has PTSD because of their tendency to be over/under emotional.
2: The amygdala is used for fear, and PTSD-affected brains often over-panic and have heightened fear reactions.
3: The hippocampus is the memory center of the brain and the PTSD-affected brain has difficulty remembering the event and often constantly replays specific memories of the trauma.
Scanning the PTSD-Affected Brain
PET (Positron Emission Topography) scans of mGluR5 receptor availability are a type of brain cell receptor for the neurotransmitter, glutamate, that is altered in PTSD patients. The image on the left showcases the PET scan of a PTSD affected brain.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans assess the effects of stroke, trauma, and degenerative diseases and can be used on PTSD patients to reveal grey-matter reductions in certain parts of the brain.
DSM-5 “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders”
The DSM-5 is the manual for assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders and specifically does not include information or guidelines for the treatment of any disorder. The DSM-5 defines PTSD as a disorder triggered by exposure to actual death, the threat of death, serious injury, and/or sexual violation. PTSD was recently moved from the anxiety disorders category because although patients usually experience anxiety as a symptom, they also experience non-anxiety symptoms such as PTSD often manifests with non-anxiety symptoms such as dissociative experiences, anger outbursts, and self-destructive behavior
DSM-5 Symptom Criterion
Critereon A: Stressor
One required
Have been exposed to death, threatened death, actual or threatened sexual violence
Criterion B: Intrusion Symptoms
One required
Traumatic event is persistently reexperienced in memories, nightmares, flashbacks, emotional distress, and physical reactivity to trauma reminders
Criterion C: Avoidance
One required
Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli after the trauma through trauma-related thoughts, feelings, and external reminders
Criterion D: Negative Alterations in Cognitions and Mood
Two required
Negative thoughts/fellings worsened after trauma in inability to recall key features of the trauma, exaggerated blame, decreased interest, and isolation
Criterion E: Alterations in Arousal and Activity
List Subtitle
Worsened behavior such as irritability, risky or destructive behavior, heightened startle reaction, difficulty sleeping and concentrating
Criterion F: Duration
Required
Symptoms last more than one month
Criterion G: Exclusion
Required
Symptoms are not due to medication, substance use, or other illness
Criterion H: Distress
required
Symptoms create distress or functional impairment (social, occupational, etc.)