Question

MT is a 38 year old woman who was brought in by her husband following a traumatic incident. One week ago, while outside gardening, she witnessed a mid-air collision. She saw two small plans collide and witnessed two bodies thrown from the plane, one of which landed in her yard, about 15 feed away. Marie attempted to call 911 but was paralyzed and blanked out part of the experience. She was found peeling carrots in the kitchen and crying. Since then she has been unable to focus and easily distracted. She tends to startle easily, and experiences nightmares. MT cannot go into the garden without experiencing panic, and she reports feelings of helplessness and a fear that she will never recover. She has no previous psychiatric history, although her husband described her as somewhat nervous and a “worrier”. Her mother has several phobias. MT’s friends and husband have been trying to help her with cooking and taking care of her daughter, and her boss has been very understanding about her inability to focus at work. You have decided on a diagnosis of Acute Stress Disorder. What factors make it more or less likely that MT will go on to develop full-blown PTSD? What treatment would you suggest for her?

Answer 1

There are medication that can be provided to a patient that is known to be suffering from ASD, but the most effective treatment, that has the consensus of most therapists is the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy that can prevent ASD from turning into a full blown PTSD.

The fact that MTs mother has had a history of phobias as well, is a precursor and a contributory cause to the affect of having the tendency of developing PTSD according to the bio aspect in the biopsychosocial model.