Question

A 25 year old sexual assault survivor comes to you with a 6-week history of recurrent nightmares of when she was raped at knifepoint. She now avoids situations where unknown men will be present, to the point that she had to quit her job at a bank. She reports being jumpy anytime she hears footsteps behind her. Diagnosis? Treatment?

Answer 1

The 25-year-old survivor's symptoms are indicative of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), for which a combination of psychotherapy, such as trauma-focused CBT and EMDR, and medications like SSRIs can be effective treatments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The 25-year-old survivor is exhibiting signs consistent with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

In this case, the survivor experiences recurrent nightmares, avoidance of situations that trigger memories of the trauma (e.g., presence of unknown men), and heightened startle response (being jumpy at footsteps).

Treatment for PTSD often includes a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), specifically trauma-focused CBT and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), are considered effective psychotherapeutic approaches.

Occasionally, medications such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can aid in managing symptoms. The survivor's treatment plan should be individualized and developed by a mental health professional based on her specific needs and symptoms.