PSY361 Week 2 Discussion

I selected post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD. PTSD can be analyzed using the
biopsychosocial model. The model analyzes PTSD from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that is occasioned by a terrifying
event (Hasto et al., 2013). An individual with PTSD may experience flashbacks and other
thoughts that may affect their normal functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
The psychological manifestations of PTSD include anxiety and fear (American Psychiatric
Association, 2013). The DSM-V manual can be used to analyze the psychosocial aspects of
PTSD. Anxiety and fear-based symptoms are the main psychosocial effects of PTSD in the
DSM-V. For one to be diagnosed with PTSD, they need to be exposed to actual or threatened
death, sexual violence or serious injury. One can either experience the traumatic event or
witness the event occur to others (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Learning of the
occurrence of the traumatic event can also trigger PTSD. PTSD can also occur when one
learns about the occurrence of a traumatic event to a close family member.
After experiencing the traumatic event, DSM-V states that one needs to exhibit
intrusion symptoms that relate to the traumatic event. Intrusion symptoms include recurrent
memories that are involuntary and related to the traumatic event (American Psychiatric
Association, 2013). Recurrent distressing dreams, flashbacks, internal and external cues thar
relate to the traumatic event, and physiological reactions that replicate the traumatic events
are also intrusion symptoms. Another important criterion in the DSM-V is negative
alterations in mood and cognitions (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). A person with
PTSD may have trouble remembering important aspects of the traumatic event. One may also
experience persistent and exaggerated beliefs about oneself. One may also have no interests
of participating in various activities. Feelings of detachment from others may also be present
(American Psychiatric Association, 2013). One must also exhibit marked alterations in

arousal and reactivity that relate to the traumatic event. The marked alterations include
hypervigilance, and problems with concentration.
The article selected is titled Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and
Problematic Overeating Behaviors in Young Men and Women. The article analyzes the
biological aspects of PTSD (Mason et al., 2017). PTSD is associated with eating disorders.
PTSD is a risk factor for obesity. Obesity may result in additional problems such as diabetes.
Clinicians must be aware that patients with PTSD may also have eating disorders which puts
them at a great risk of obesity and weight gain. Treatment of PTSD must thus integrate the
treatment of the psychosocial symptoms as well as integrated treatments that address the
eating disorders.

References

Mason, S. M., Frazier, P. A., Austin, S. B., Harlow, B. L., Jackson, B., Raymond, N. C., &
Rich-Edwards, J. W. (2017). Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and problematic
overeating behaviors in young men and women. Annals of Behavioral
Medicine, 51(6), 822-832.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Hasto, J., Vojtova, H., Hruby, R., & Tavel, P. (2013). Biopsychosocial approach to
psychological trauma and possible health consequences. Neuro endocrinology
letters, 34(6), 464.