Cognitive Model of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Traumatic event(s):
Cognitive processing
during trauma
Characteristics of the
traumatic event
Prior experiences
and beliefs
Beliefs often
confirmed or
shattered
Negative appraisal of
trauma and its effects
Nature of traumatic
memory
(peri-traumatic and post-traumatic)
Matching
triggers
Emotional reaction
(including a sense of current threat)
Prevents
updating
of
Prevents
updating
of
Coping strategies
PSYCHOLOGYT
LS
http://psychology.tools
Cognitive Model of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Traumatic event(s):
Important details about
the traumatic event
How I coped during
the event, what my mind
did to protect me
Important experiences
and beliefs from before
the trauma
Beliefs often
confirmed or
shattered
What I believe about
the event and its effects
Nature of traumatic
memory
(peri-traumatic and post-traumatic)
Matching
triggers
What I feel now
(including a sense of current threat)
Prevents
updating
of
Prevents
updating
of
Ways I cope with
how I am feeling
PSYCHOLOGYT
LS
http://psychology.tools
Cognitive Model of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Traumatic event(s): Age 19: raped by an acquaintance I met at a party, likely he drugged me
Characteristics of the
traumatic event
Life threatening event
Thought he might kill me
Likely that he drugged me
He was someone I thought I
could trust
Cognitive processing
during trauma
Activation of threat system
(fight, flight, freeze) – felt
frozen
Dissociated during parts of the
attack
Drugged? Memory poor
Prior experiences
and beliefs
Experiences: Sexually abused during
childhood - Mum knew but didn’t
stop it; bullied at school
Beliefs: I’m weak & vulnerable;
I’m worthless; other people are
dangerous; nobody looks out for me
Beliefs often
confirmed or
shattered
Main flashbacks
(hotspots):
1. His face grinning
at me during (fear, disgust)
2. Waking up and getting
dressed (disgust, confusion)
3. Telling my friend and
her not believing he would
do that (shame)
Prevents
updating
of
Beliefs about
self and others
confirmed
Negative appraisal of
trauma and its effects
Nature of traumatic
memory
Fragmented: I can only remember
parts of it
Vivid sensations: I get body
sensations of what happened
and vivid nightmares and
flashbacks
Dissociation when I re-experience
(peri-traumatic and post-traumatic)
During: What’ts wrong with
me? Why can’t I fight back?
He might kill me
After: It must have been my fault;
I’m disgusting; I can’t trust anyone
Matching
triggers
Emotional reaction
(including a sense of current threat)
Fear
Betrayal
Disbelief
Disgust
Shame
Prevents
updating
of
Coping strategies
Avoid: reminders, people, places
Try to push memories away
Distract self and keep busy
Ruminate about what I’ve done
wrong
Self-harm (cutting) because it
makes me feel ‘real’ (grounded)
PSYCHOLOGYT
LS
http://psychology.tools