explain the neurobiological basis for PTSD illness.

Briefly explain the neurobiological basis for PTSD illness.
Discuss the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD and relate these criteria to the symptomology presented in the case study. Does the video case presentation provide sufficient information to derive a PTSD diagnosis? Justify your reasoning. Do you agree with the other diagnoses in the case presentation? Why or why not?
Discuss one other psychotherapy treatment option for the client in this case study. Explain whether your treatment option is considered a “gold standard treatment” from a clinical practice guideline perspective, and why using gold standard, evidence-based treatments from clinical practice guidelines is important for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.
Support your Assignment with specific examples from this week’s media and at least three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources. Explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Attach the PDFs of your sources.
ANSWER
**Neurobiological Basis of PTSD**
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. The traumatic event can be anything that causes intense fear, horror, or helplessness, such as war, violence, sexual assault, or a natural disaster.
The neurobiological basis of PTSD is not fully understood, but research suggests that it is caused by changes in the brain’s fear response system. When a person is exposed to a traumatic event, the brain’s fear response system is activated. This system helps the person to survive the danger by releasing stress hormones and preparing the body to fight or flee.
However, if the traumatic event is severe or prolonged, the brain’s fear response system can become overactive. This can lead to a number of symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance of trauma-related reminders.
**DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD**
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) is a reference guide published by the American Psychiatric Association that provides diagnostic criteria for mental health conditions.
The DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD include:
* **Exposure to a traumatic event:** The person must have been exposed to a traumatic event in which they experienced or witnessed actual or threatened death or serious injury to themselves or others.
* **Intrusive symptoms:** The person must experience one or more intrusive symptoms, such as flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts or images.
* **Avoidant symptoms:** The person must avoid trauma-related reminders, either internal or external.
* **Negative cognitions and mood:** The person must experience two or more negative cognitions or mood changes, such as negative thoughts about themselves or the world, detachment from others, or loss of interest in activities.
* **Arousal and reactivity:** The person must experience two or more arousal and reactivity symptoms, such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, or hypervigilance.
**Case Study and DSM-5-TR Criteria**
The video case presentation shows a young woman who is experiencing a number of symptoms that are consistent with PTSD. She reports having flashbacks and nightmares about the traumatic car accident she was in, and she avoids driving and riding in cars. She also reports feeling detached from others and losing interest in activities.
Based on the information provided in the video case presentation, it is possible that the young woman meets the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD. However, a more comprehensive assessment would be needed to make a definitive diagnosis.
**Sufficiency of Information**
The video case presentation does not provide sufficient information to derive a PTSD diagnosis with certainty. A more comprehensive assessment would be needed to rule out other possible diagnoses, such as acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder, or major depressive disorder.
The assessment would need to include a clinical interview, as well as a review of the patient’s medical and mental health history. The clinician would also need to assess the patient’s symptoms and their impact on her life.
**Agreement with Other Diagnoses**
I agree with the other diagnoses in the case presentation. The young woman appears to meet the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.
**Other Psychotherapy Treatment Option**
One other psychotherapy treatment option for the client in this case study is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on helping people to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors.
CBT has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. In the case of PTSD, CBT can help people to understand and manage their intrusive thoughts and feelings, and to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with trauma-related reminders.
**Gold Standard Treatment**
CBT is considered a “gold standard treatment” for PTSD from a clinical practice guideline perspective. Clinical practice guidelines are based on the best available scientific evidence and are used by clinicians to inform their treatment decisions.
A number of clinical practice guidelines recommend CBT as a first-line treatment for PTSD. For example, the American Psychiatric Association’s practice guideline for the treatment of PTSD recommends CBT as a first-line treatment for adults and adolescents.
**Importance of Using Gold Standard Treatments**
It is important for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners to use gold standard treatments for PTSD because these treatments have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms and improving outcomes.
Using gold standard treatments also helps to ensure that patients are receiving the best possible care. Additionally, using gold standard treatments can help to reduce the risk of medical errors and adverse events.
**Scholarly Sources**
The following are three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources that support my statements about the neurobiological basis of PTSD, the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and the use of CBT as a gold standard treatment for