pr20
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For 3 weeks following an automobile accident where she watched her child die,a 28-year old woman reports difficulty sleeping,headaches,and an inability to concentrate.Her family reports that she suffers from nightmares and violent emotional outbursts when awake.Since the accident,she refuses to either drive or ride in a car.The symptoms presented here are most consistent with a diagnosis of:
A.normal grief
B.adjustment disorder
C.post-traumatic stress disorder
D.acute stress disorder
E.dysthymia
F.unipolar disorder
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| jean robert
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D
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Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.
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| pr20
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| ambi08
Forum Newbie
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Why not post-traumatic stress disorder ?
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| pr20
Forum Senior
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If symptoms are exhibited "for more than ONE MONTH" it is post-traumatic stress disorder,otherwise diagnose it as acute stress disorder.
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| macintosh
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I am somewhat confused. Would you be kind enough to mention the keywords in the question stem which point to a diagnosis of acute stress disorder versus normal grief.
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| pr20
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macintosh wrote:
I am somewhat confused. Would you be kind enough to mention the keywords in the question stem which point to a diagnosis of acute stress disorder versus normal grief.
Post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder can be differentiated only based on time frame of the presenting symptoms.Avoidance of associated stimuli and nightmares after an identified traumatic event are the criteria for diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder or acute stress disorder.But the timeframe,3 weeks,makes acute stress disorder most likely.Symptoms must be exhibited for more than 1 month to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder;if less,diagnose as acute stress disorder.
Normal grief is a normal response occuring in adults who are bereaved or are mourning the loss of a loved one.Adults go through a series of three phases after losing loved ones or dear ones.
Phase 1--->Protest/disbilief in which they may not beleive the loss of a person and may turn hostile.
Phase 2--->Grief/disorganization in which symptoms like crying,decreased libido,weight loss,insomnia,wish to see the loved ones,beleiving that they can see or hear deceased,etc.are present
Phase 3--->Recovery phase in which memories fade in intensity and they come back to reality.Reinvestment of energies and interests occur.
It is important to differentiate normal grief from major depression as the symptoms like depressed mood,decreased concentration,loss of libido,insomnia,weight loss,etc may be present in both of them.Grief is normal up to 1 year and is usually self-limiting.Patients usually come back to reality within 6 months to 1 year.But if the symptoms persist for more than 1 year or associated with severe signs like marked functional impairment,psychomotor retardation,suicidal tendencies,then it is diagnosed as major depression.
In words of our great Dr.Steven Daugherty,Normal grief is a normal reaction to ordinary events;major depression is an excessive reaction to ordinary events,and post-traumatic stress disorder is the excessive reaction to the extraordinary events.
Hope this helps.
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