Lysiak 1

Arianna Lysiak
G/T Independent Research- 3
5 February 2017
Annotated Source List

Bender, James. "What Are the Differences between PTS and PTSD?" Brain Line
Military, WETA, www.brainlinemilitary.org/content/2013/12/
what-are-the-difference-between-pts-and-ptsd.html. Accessed 9 Jan. 2017.

In this article, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is compared and contrasted to Post
Traumatic Stress (PTS). PTS is an average, normal response to a stressor or event and is quite
common. Anyone who experiences a scary situation will typically show symptoms of PTS.
These symptoms are often referred to as Fight or flight reactions, which is why PTS is
classified as an automatic and conscious reaction versus a disorder or mental condition. Simple
behaviors of PTS are sweating, nervousness, bad dreams for a small amount of time, and fear.
These symptoms can last for some days, however they are not life-altering or permanent no
matter how severe they are. Treatment is not required or needed for PTS because it is not a
disorder or mental illness. On the other hand PTSD is a clinically diagnosed mental disorder.
Severe injuries, experiencing a death of a loved one or other traumatic events are the average
causes of PTSD and veterans are the main group of people to be diagnosed with this disorder.
There are many symptoms but the most experienced ones are reliving nightmares and flashbacks,
aggressive behaviors, depression, always nervous (etc). Rather than having these symptoms for a
couple of days, PTSD symptoms linger around for a long time until treated or assisted, unlike
PTS.
PTSD and PTS are two similar cases but one is more severe than the other. PTS is a new
response that has been brought to attention through research and will help the research process
by connecting PTSD to other disorders and short term responses that may require the same
treatment as PTSD. This applies to current research because it compares PTSD and the
similarities in other sicknesses and reactions.

Chard, Kathleen M., and Rich Gilman. "Counseling Trauma Victims: 4 Brief
Therapies Meet the Test." Current Psychiatry, Frontline Medical
Communications, Aug. 2005, www.mdedge.com/currentpsychiatry/article/60392/
counseling-trauma-victims-4-brief-therapies-meet-test. Accessed 3 Jan.
2017.

In this article, Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is explained in the process and how to
prepare a patient for the therapy. The core concepts are also elaborated on. Before treatment is
started patients are evaluated based on their mental state and psychiatric evaluation. It is proved
that a patient with better coping skills will receive better treatment because they are open to
building more skills and confronting the trauma. The goal of CBT is to expose the patient to the
trauma and help their thought process. Studies show that CBT is better when paired with
Exposure therapy. Patients are also to be informed on all the processes and steps of CBT in order
to make sure it is understood and the patient still wants to go through with it. Feelings of
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hopelessness and guilt may arise in certain situations based on the trauma they had experienced.
Different Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) memories require different therapies and maybe
a mix of some that require between 3-6 weeks or longer treatment.
This article was helpful because it explained how CBT is decided to be used and that
there is a screening patients do have to go through to make sure the proper treatment is being
used. Also, the importance of pairing other therapies with CBT in order to create a more
effective approach and help the patient face their trauma more efficiently. More research will
help show the specific relations between certain traumas and the treatment that goes with it.

DeAngelis, Tori. "PTSD Treatments Grow in Evidence, Effectiveness." American

Psychological Association, Jan. 2008, www.apa.org/monitor/jan08/ptsd.aspx.
Accessed 19 Dec. 2016.

This research shows how certain experiments are being tested out for effectiveness on
veterans diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A variety of treatments for
PTSD are ranked from A to E (A being the best, E being the worst). Therapies at the top of the
list are more evidence-based and are proven to be the best remedy for certain situations. During
these trials and tribulations, researchers are making it a priority to make sure veterans have A-list
treatments. Other psychologists are trying to boost effectiveness by using small doses of the
tuberculosis drug to help ease fear and anxiety with memories. Virtual reality therapy (VRT) is a
new therapy being introduced the PTSD treatment world. It is being experimented on for how
effective it is with veterans suffering with PTSD. One medicine that is being further examined is
Alprazolam (Xanax). Xanax is believed to help lower anxiety levels while recalling memories
during therapy sessions. However, none of these studies are completed, only being tested on.
When doing test and experiments, other health conditions have to be taken into consideration. It
is believed that anxiety and PTSD work together in a way that makes it more severe and difficult
to treat. Luckily, there has been success in the treatment research because many veterans are
experiencing success in treatments and becoming completely cured.
These new discoveries and experiments are providing a great leap in the PTSD world for
veterans. Just because a treatment is common does not mean it will work on everyone, so for
psychologists to experiment further ways to help patients is a great deed. There are lots of
different treatments that can work be made for PTSD, however the struggle is making them work
and proving them to be effective. If doctors started to use more of these treatments that are in the
process of being proven, then they would be able to be recognized as evidence-based much
faster.

"Dogs and PTSD." U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 14 Aug. 2015,

www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/cope/dogs_and_ptsd.asp. Accessed 6 Dec.
2016.
The source provides information about an uncommon treatment for Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD). The treatment explained in the article is dog therapy. Dogs are known to
provide companionship and comfort to almost everyone. Even though dogs provide emotional
support and help, there needs to be more research conducted in order to clinically prove the
usefulness. There are two types of service dogs, emotional/support and service dogs. When
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treating PTSD, emotional/support dogs are more helpful than service dogs. Emotional support
animals help owners with mental health conditions. If a patient diagnosed with PTSD decided to
use dog therapy, than it is highly suggested that it be paired with an evidence based treatment.
This type of therapy can provide an easier recovery process for PTSD victims.
The article introduced an uncommon therapy treatment for PTSD. If there are more
treatments for PTSD than the main basic ones used, than scientists can prove that some may be
more effective than others with improvements. After reading this, more questions are posed
about possible treatments and the depth of uncommon treatments. Also, it shows what targeted
area is more effective during the recovery process.

"The Fearless SM: Woman Missing Amygdala." Neuroscience News, 17 Dec. 2010,
neurosciencenews.com/sm-fearless-woman-missing-amygdala/. Accessed 13 Oct.
2016.

Without fear, one does not know what to avoid. Also, judgement of surroundings can
become misguided, which can have a very negative effect. Fear is a necessary component in the
brain that is controlled by the amygdala. The article discusses that a person without an amygdala
is less likely to have fear.. A women named SM has been discovered to have bilateral damage to
the amygdala, which results in her having no fears. This study has lead to further questioning
about controlling the amygdala in order to lower fear in those with Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD). If scientists and doctors can discover a way to lower terror in the minds of
veterans and other subjects, they can save multiple lives. The study of amygdala control can lead
to further research and pose more questions.
This article is a prime example of the major roles played in the brain and amygdala. After
reading this article, several questions have been made relating to PTSD and other fear driven
disorders. If the amygdala eliminates fear, than controlling or altering the control center can lead
to new findings and experiments in the brain world.

Friedman, Matthew J. "PTSD History and Overview." U.S. Department of Veteran

Affairs, 23 Feb. 2016, www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/PTSD-overview/
ptsd-overview.asp. Accessed 21 Nov. 2016.

In this document the history of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is addressed and
an overall summary. Traumatic events cause stress to ones mind that influences the factors of
the disorder. A person gets a different diagnosis based on the impact of the traumatic stressor on
the brain. There are different criterias for situations dealing with PTSD and how patients are
treated. Many PTSD patients are neurologically unstable, meaning any other stress factors can
affect how a person reacts and their mental status. Research has shown that PTSD can become a
chronic disorder over the years and might even last someone their lifetime. It can also be a
recurring disorder which puts an emphasis on the importance of treatment. Subtypes are used
with PTSD to group people by age and their progression of the disorder. The treatments range
from rapid to weekly sessions. Overall PTSD occurs from traumatic events and can be resolved
by therapy.
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This document contains background information about the origins of PTSD and how
treatments can solve it. Also, PTSD patients are often unstable and its hard for a person to
comprehend new occurrences. This lines up with other sources by analyzing where PTSD
develops in patients and the most common patients and case studies to look into.

Hamilton, Audrey, producer. "Improving Lives through Virtual Reality Therapy."

Speaking of Psychology, episode 19, American Psychological Association,
www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/virtual-reality.aspx.
Accessed 14 Dec. 2016.

During the podcast, Albert Skip Rizzo explains how Virtual reality therapy (VRT) is
taking a big part in helping to improve the lives of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
victims. This is a memory based treatment that tackles traumas and fears head on. This is a
treatment where more people are willing to participate in because of the development of
technology. VRT builds a virtual scenario, including multiple senses, that mocks the trauma the
patient experienced. By designing this type of scene, it creates a full effect and develops a good
therapeutic outcome. Even though this technology has been developing in the PTSD area since
2003, VRT is more common and successful with smaller fears. Technology is always changing,
which means that VRT can never be 100 percent perfect when helping to cure PTSD. Patients
spend around thirty minutes in Virtual reality, then they talk about what they experienced with
their therapist, which helps build a bond between the patient and the doctor.
VRT is a new technology development that has the potential of helping a majority of
lives suffering with PTSD. The treatment is effective and tackles the fear straight on,
emphasizing the need on facing the memory/trauma more than other treatments. VRT is also
heavily associated with the memory and can be categorized with memory based treatments.

Mandal, Ananya. "Hippocampus Functions." News Medical, AZoNetwork, 14 Jan. 2014,

www.news-medical.net/health/Hippocampus-Functions.aspx. Accessed 27 Oct.
2016.

Hippocampal functions pertain to not just memories associated with emotions, but
memories dealing with skill and learning assets (Episodic Memory). The location of this organ is
in the medial temporal lobe of the brain and connects with the emotion center. Spatial Navigation
is also associated with the hippocampus. If damage is inflicted on the hippocampus major
repercussions will happen. It will be difficult for one to recall or even form memories. When
doctors experiment on the brain they have to be very careful to not touch or hit the hippocampus,
as a result, a patient can undergo severe amnesia. Detecting stimuli may also be affected if there
is hippocampal damage.
The following article contains important information that explains the process and effects
of the hippocampus. This research complies with other articles found that relates to the brain
functions and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Information about the hippocampus is useful to
see how damage in specific areas of the brain can cause certain reactions. Applying this towards
memories and important reactions to them will help one get a deeper understanding of PTSD
effects.
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Mittal, Dinesh, et al. "Worsening of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

with Cognitive Decline: Case Series." J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol March
2001, vol. 14, no. 1, Mar. 2001, pp. 17-20. SAGE Journals Online,
doi:10.1177/089198870101400105. Accessed 20 Oct. 2016.

This journal explains case studies of three different men that were diagnosed with Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and were between the ages of 57-70 years old. In all three
cases, each man seemed to have suffered from auditory flashbacks more than visuals. Memory
deficits were also developed over time throughout all subjects during the study. Periodically, the
subjects would have feelings and moods of depression. Subsequently, the men had suffered
severe nightmares and quite often have trouble sleeping at all. Overall, doctors reckon concrete
and detailed evidence about PTSD and relations on the brain. It was concluded that traumatic
experiences are found to be disrupting to the hippocampus, which affects the organization of
memories in the brain. Emotions at the time of the event can add onto the memory in addition to
feelings as well. This research also helped prove the belief of the hippocampus being apply to
apply influences on the amygdala.
Journals and experiments provide very resourceful and useful information about the
research topic. This one in particular helped explain the common and relative symptoms in
PTSD patients. Application of this document can go towards the study of the roles of the brain
when it comes to memory and feelings relating to traumatic experiences. Also, the document
poses the question of why does the brain posses the bad memories if they have a harmful effect
on ones brain.

"PTSD in Children and Teens." U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 13 Aug. 2015,
www.ptsd.va.gov/public/family/ptsd-children-adolescents.asp. Accessed 24
Oct. 2016.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is becoming more of a common diagnosis in

children around the world. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs goes into detail about the
severity of the concept and how it happens. Out of all kids that have experienced trauma, three to
fifteen percent of girls and one to six percent of boys develop PTSD. The risk factor of obtaining
PTSD is persuaded by severity, reaction from family members, and distance from the scenario.
When a family is greatly involved in the well being of the child, the symptom severity can be
lowered. In children ages five to twelve, signs of PTSD is shown through games and daily play.
Through ages twelve to eighteen, adult symptoms are experienced as well as aggressive
behaviors and habits. Not only do kids suffer from PTSD, but they also tend to suffer from
depression and may abuse alcohol or drugs. One common treatment for pre-teens and teens is
Psychological First Aid (PFA), which helps cope with violence. Younger children tend to be
more naive, resulting in a treatment involving play, called play therapy. The article helps explain
where PTSD in children generates from and the severity in certain situations.
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Application of this source can be used to compare children to adults when it comes to
symptoms and severity of PTSD. Also, this is useful when analyzing development of PTSD if
untreated and effects on the brain.

Rajmohan, V., and E. Mohandas. "The Limbic System." Indian Journal of

Psychology, vol. 49, no. 2, 2007, pp. 132-39. NCBI, doi:10.4103/
0019-5545.33264. Accessed 16 Nov. 2016.

In the journal, the limbic system is described by its functions, organs and parts. One of
the parts in this system is the amygdala. Instead of discussing the basic functions of this organ,
the journal states the input and output directions, location, and structure. When analyzing the
hippocampus, functions, memory, and responses are aligned with the topic. Responses from the
two of these biological structures can range from varied emotions, endocrine responses, sleep
and dream reactions, and eating behaviors followed by appetite. Addiction, memory, and sexual
behavior are also reactions. Other organs mentioned are the hypothalamus, dentate gyrus, and
ones in the limbic lobe. Possible side effects from damage to any of the organs in the limbic
system are epilepsy, dementia, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders(etc). Autism is also a main
consequence of damage to the limbic system because the social cognition of ones brain may be
affected negatively. This system overall plays a major role in behavior, memory, and reactions.

The detail thats involved in this journal is intricate and unlike any others that have been
found. These intricate details provide of a new aspect of understanding and provide further
research questions which gives another approach to taking this topic. This relates to PTSD and
develops a better understanding and more connections.

Romm, Cari. "Changing Memories to Treat PTSD." The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2014,
www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/08/changing-memories-to-treat-ptsd/
379223/. Accessed 30 Nov. 2016.

In this article, a soldier, Kevin Martin, diagnosed with Post traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) said he wished that there was a treatment for PTSD where memories could be altered in
order to create better recollections of events. The debate about the possibility of this treatment
happening consists of two sides, agree or disagree with the treatment. There are three different
parts to how a memory is stored. The first stage is coding of a memory, then consolidation,
which is sensory information forms into memories, and lastly retrieving a memory. When a
memory is replayed over and over again they become more common and have a common
presence. In order to succed in changing memories, the brain must be distracted when memories
are activated. Other studies and experiments have been used to predict the success and processes
that can be used in this new treatment. Propranolol (a drug that is used to slow down the
heartbeat of a person and often used with other disorders) is shown to be a component that is
considered in the treatment due to its usefulness in other experiments. At the moment, there are
only two medications that are approved and help with the PTSD treatment process. Even with
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sources, research, and facts, many psychologists are still hesitant to experiment with this
treatment. Some believe it is too risky to play around in this area of memory and there has not
been enough experiments on humans to help determine the success rate.
With the proposal of this new treatment, new questions are posed. If this treatment can be
used will it be more effective than others? Not only are more questions concluded but also more
research. A new path can also be taken along with this article and research. Also, trying to find
out which victims should use this technique more than others is another way to take this
research.

Rotshtein, Pia. "Amygdala Damage Affects Event-Related Potentials for Fearful

Faces at Specific Time Windows." Human Brain Mapping, vol. 31, no. 7, July
2010, pp. 1089-105. Wiley Online Library, doi:10.1002/hbm.20921. Accessed
13 Oct. 2016.

In the journal, researches experimented on normal and damaged amygdalas in the human
brain. The tests were conducted to show what would happen to fear levels based on damage in
the amygdala. In order to perform the procedure test subjects needed to be diagnosed with Mesial
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (MTLE) or just be healthy. The groups were sorted into three:
MTLE-control, MTLE-amygdala, and healthy. During the experiment, the groups had the same
fear stimuli and expressions to respond to. Consequently, the experiment showed that the fear
levels did not vary much, however the reaction time between the groups did vary. The more
damage towards the amygdala caused a slower reaction, which means fear processing is just
slowed down with more damage.
The journal is a unique source because it is the few of many found sources that prove that
fear is still possible with the amygdala. Earlier sources have shown that one with no amygdala
means no fears, and the same can be proven with MTLE. This document has raised questions
about the brain processes and fear, which will result in more research and further experiments on
the topic. Even though the source is going against other found sources, this can still be used to
pose more questions and intensify the search process.

Roy, Saberi. "The Psychology of Fear." Futurehealth, 5 Oct. 2010,

www.futurehealth.org/articles/
The-Psychology-of-Fear-by-Saberi-Roy-100903-820.html. Accessed 19 Sept.
2016.

In this article the psychology of fear consists of both emotions, feelings, and bodily
actions. The basics of fear are simple feelings and emotions. Complex fears are anxiety and
phobias(etc.). Emotion and feelings are two very similar topics when discussing the mental and
physical aspects dealing with the body and fear. Throughout the article the author states why fear
happens and what type of fears exists. Fear plays an important role in anxiety, body reactions,
and emotions. Fear is the powerhouse behind most phobias because they generate the beginning
of a greater fear of something. Phobias are mainly the emotion part rather than feelings in fear
 Lysiak 8

and phobias can be more extreme than fears. There are treatments to help calm these fears and
can be referred to as "therapeutic.
The article was useful because it was a general idea of the development and basics of
fear. Also, the reader can observe the impact of the strength of fear on a disorder, for example
phobias or anxiety. This helps the research process become narrowed down between which fear
one might start to focus on and the origin of it.

Sanders, Laura. "Body & Brain: Scented Naps Can Dissipate Fears: People
Unlearned Scary Odor If They Smelled It in Their Sleep." Middle Search
Plus, EBSCO, 19 Oct. 2013, web.a.ebscohost.com/ehk5/detail/
detail?vid=3&sid=4f0c6fcf-96ac-4b74-80598fe8cc31a47f%40sessionmgr4009&hid=4206&b
data=#AN=90634331&db=mih. Accessed 23 Sept. 2016.

The study of scented naps is currently an experiment under construction and research
to help cure phobias, fears, and PTSD. Naps are proven to ease pain and stress which is why
people tend to sleep through stress. A group of participants were given a scent to and associated
it with a bad face/memory. After this, the volunteers fell asleep and during the slow wave
stage, better known as deep sleep, the smell was redelivered, however this time, the stress and
fear levels went down based on the participants measure of sweat. The smell no longer brings
fear to the victims because the nap helped to process the safety when associated with the
scent/memory. After waking, scans were done on the brain that showed a change in the
hippocampus and amygdala, the center of the mind and emotions in the brain. This treatment can
be compared to exposure therapy and is proven to be easier on patients. Theres still tests to be
done but as of right now, the treatment is leading in the right direction.
Using this research helps to look deeper into the solution of scented naps. Theres
additional data to be concluded but this is a good start to finding out new and supplementary
problems/results. The experiment was effective and after reading this further questions have been
conducted and put into question. Since experiments are credited, cited, and mentioned, this is
also a reliable and scholarly source.

Sifferlin, Alexandra. "How Effective Are PTSD Treatments for Veterans." TIME, 4
Aug. 2015, time.com/3982440/ptsd-veterans/. Accessed 19 Dec. 2016.

In this article, go to treatments for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are being
examined for success rates when helping to cure PTSD. In the Journal of American Medical
Association explains how many go to treatments are not as efficient or effective on veterans
with PTSD versus a civilian with PTSD. Around two-thirds of veterans with PTSD were still
diagnosed with the condition after basic treatments, such as Prolonged exposure and cognitive
processing therapy. Researchers are being led to believe that veterans with PTSD respond
differently to treatments and may suffer from worse outcomes. Worse outcomes are due to
veterans being around their trauma repeatedly over long periods of time, whereas civilians only
typically face their stressor once. However , there is not proved data that can back up the idea
 Lysiak 9

that veterans have a harder time conquering PTSD compared to other patients. A new question
brought up in the research process is whether or not focusing mainly on the trauma is majorly
effective or not. Similar improvement was shown when tests were run to compare these studies.
The source is very effective in informing the relation between trauma focused and
behavior therapies. Also bringing up the new topic of how veterans react differently compared to
other patients. A new trail in the research process has been led to acupuncture and healing touch
therapy. These new treatments were revealed at the end of the article and explained how these
new treatments are slowly developing and starting to move into the category of the rarely used,
but known treatments.

Stafford, Tom. "Why Can Smell Unlock Forgotten Memories." BBC, 13 Mar. 2012,
www.bbc.com/future/story/20120312-why-can-smells-unlock-memories. Accessed
28 Sept. 2016.

The brain controls main functions people disregard daily, and this article expands on two
common functions, scent and smell. These two wonders seem so unrelated but work together
quite well. When a scent travels through the receptors in the nose, one can react in sooner than
10 seconds. When someone perceives a smell, the brain is often associating a memory with it.
This is where smell and memory work hand in hand in the brain. Due to this recognition, smell
often brings back a memory linked with an emotion. Scientists believe the recollection of
memories is due to the olfactory bulb (where the scent travels in the brain) being located next to
the hippocampus (the brains memory center). For example, when a person describes a candle as
the aroma of a beach, the fragrance is bringing up the memory from the beach, causing ones
sensory imagery of the candle.
The article showed the relation between scent and memory helped analyze information in
the study of scented naps. After reading this it is easier to analyze the cause of scented naps and
why they work in the first place. The source is scholarly when dealing with the brain and
vocabulary used. Ideas that may have been too overwhelming to a reader were well expressed
and elaborated also.

Steimer, Thierry. "The Biology of Fear- and Anxiety-Related Behaviors."

Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 4, no. 3, Sept. 2002, pp.
231-49. NCBI, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181681/. Accessed 21
Sept. 2016.

In the journal entry, the biology of fear operates within the brain structures, systems and
emotional structures. Fear in the brain is being elaborated on by experiments and research. The
control behind fear is led by the amygdala, a section of the brain that deals with emotions. Fear is
defined in this article as a stimulus the brain receives and in return turns this signal into a sign for
flight or defense. In this case, not only is the amygdala perceiving situations but it is also starting
to release emotions and control behavior. Throughout the text, references to animals and
experiments with animals come up when drawing conclusions and proving facts. One experiment
explained how blockage of the amygdala causes the victim to freeze up. Without having a
 Lysiak 10

response system, the victim has no idea of what to do. Behavior and actions due to fear come
from the left side of the Amygdala. The biology of fear deals with the brains structures and
emotional structures.
The use of this source is helpful in the research process because of the research and
experiments mentioned. Not only is the biology of the brain mentioned, which starts from the
amygdala, but the roles and functions in the process are involved also. The topic of fear is a main
topic throughout the journal, while giving more of a detailed background with evidence and
experiments mentioned. The elaboration of fear in the journal also helps explain the background
and use for fear.

"Stress Inoculation Training for PTSD." U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 19

Aug. 2016, www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/therapy-med/
stress-inoculation-training.asp. Accessed 15 Dec. 2016.

In this article, stress inoculation (SIT) is described as one of the most effective talk
therapies (or psychotherapy) along with medications. SIT is mainly a therapy that helps cope
with Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and symptoms. During the sessions, coping skills
will be taught along with ways to handle reactions in trigger situations. Throughout the first
stages, the patient becomes familiar with PTSD and their symptoms along with their triggers.
After going through the first stage, patients will learn and demonstrate new coping skills and
techniques. The end of treatment consists of reviewing and making plans to stick by for future
reference. This particular treatment is often done in groups but can be done one on one. The
average length is three months with weekly, one hour to one hour and thirty minute sessions.
SIT is a great therapy for group activity and verbal treatment. A majority of people
experience improvement within the first few sessions. This article also shows that the most
effective treatments that have evidence to back them up are psychotherapeutic or talk therapies.

"Treatment of PTSD." U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 26 May 2016,

www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/therapy-med/treatment-ptsd.asp. Accessed
24 Oct. 2016.

There are many variations of treatments Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The
most common types of treatment are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing
Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitization and
Reprocessing (EMDR). The most effective therapies are CBT and CPT. In these sessions,
therapists are inclined to help one understand and deal with the aftermath of trauma, while
understanding that certain thoughts and memories have certain effects on the brain. Another most
common therapy, PE, is mainly used to deal with multiple traumas. Desensitization and Flooding
are two commonly used methods during these sessions. Desensitization is the process of dealing
with bad memories one by one, while flooding deals with multiple memories at once while not
feeling overwhelmed. EMDR helps to change reactions to certain recollections. While talking to
a therapist, one is directed to pay attention to other stimuli, such as a hand motion. This treatment
is still undergoing changes and research to improve its effectiveness. Medication is also an
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option for treatment. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that
ease sad feelings and are very effective. The treatment length for these therapies lasts for around
three to six months based on basic PTSD, or even longer based on severity. This article includes
information that helps compile other research together.
The explanation of medicine used helps take another path in the research process that
poses the question of the use of therapy. If medicine can be prescribed is therapy really needed?
Also, the use of treatments is elaborated on and explained in detailed descriptions.

Walcutt, Diana L. "Stages of Sleep." Psychcentral, 2016, psychcentral.com/lib/

stages-of-sleep/. Accessed 24 Sept. 2016.

The brain works in multiple ways during the five stages of sleep. During stage one,
drifting off starts to take place and images may start to pass; however these are not the official
start of a dream. When stage two occurs, the brain sends out waves called sleep spindles for
about twenty minutes until entering stage three. Stage three is the change from light to deep sleep
and is preparing the body to enter stage four. Throughout stage four, deep sleep is being entered
for thirty minutes. Towards the end of stage four, the body is able to perform functions such as
moving, sleepwalking, wetting the bed (etc). For the duration of stage five, Rapid Eye Movement
(REM) sleep is activated and the body is paralyzed from making movements unlike stage four.
These cycles repeat each other. For example, the cycle can go 1,2,3,4,5,3,2,1,2,3 and so on and
so forth.
Studying the sleep pattern ties into annotated source three and the research of scented
naps. The information between both sources line up with each other and the details from both
sources are reliable and scholarly. This will be helpful in the future to help look deeper into what
happens during the REM stage that make scented naps able to cure phobias in the first place.

"What Are Traumatic Memories?" Sidran Institute, www.sidran.org/resources/

for-survivors-and-loved-ones/what-are-traumatic-memories/. Accessed 5 Jan.
2017.

In this article, traumatic memories and how they affect a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) patient is explained into detail. When a traumatic memory is experienced it is a natural
instinct for people to avoid the memory and try to prevent it from arising. Conscious thoughts
typically do not arise until later after the trauma, when the patient starts to experience symptoms
of PTSD. The more a memory reappears, the more times it becomes distorted and changed into
even more of a nightmare than it was before. It is even common to become haunted by these
recollections, which builds up the fear aspect of PTSD. The four stages of memory consists of
intake, storage, rehearsal, and retrieval. At anytime, any one of these stages can be affected by an
event. Traumatic memories are sometimes controversial due to their difference from ordinary
clinical memories and how they are processed and stored in the brain. Many varied feelings are
experienced throughout many subjects. Hypnosis is a common technique or treatment used to try
and get rid of their memories. Its main purpose is to help get the memory off of peoples minds
 Lysiak 12

so they can focus on everyday tasks and what they need to do in order to not be consumed by the
thoughts.
This introduction of how traumatic memories differ from regular memories helps to lead
the research process into a direction focused on memory recurrence and development in non
PTSD patients and other people. Also, a new treatment is introduced as hypnosis and can be
further elaborated and researched on its commonness and progression in the trauma treatment
field.