Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Flashbulb Memory is created at a highly emotional event.
  • Amygdala works over time, and tries to learn the process leads to the trauma

Solutions

  • Beta Blockers: blocks beta-receptors, hence sympathetic neural system is suppressed, you become relaxed

Experiment

  • Skin Galvanic response - measuring nervous level
  • Participants view pictures and get electric shocked when they see spider pictures (conditioning)
  • Group 1 receives beta-blockers, Group 2 receives placebo.
  • Emotional response are seen when Group 2 sees spider again.
  • Repeat the previous step, but give all participants placebo. Group 1 now have lower emotional response.
  • Hypothesis: beta-blocker severs the link between memory and emotion.

Resources