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pubmed: posttraumatic stress...
NCBI: db=pubmed; Term=posttraumatic stress disorder
Child maltreatment-clinical PTSD diagnosis not enough?!: Comment on resick et al. (2012).
Child maltreatment-clinical PTSD diagnosis not enough?!: Comment on resick et al. (2012).
J Trauma Stress. 2012 May 15;
Authors: Lindauer RJ
Abstract
Child maltreatment has a high prevalence. It can lead to severe psychological and physical problems from childhood to late adulthood. At present, the recognition and treatment of child abuse and its consequences is inadequate. Diagnostic criteria, such as those defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association, are vital for that purpose. Resick and colleagues 2012 conclude that insufficient scientific basis now exists for incorporating complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) into DSM-5. Although they are right from a research point of view, what would be the clinical, political, and social consequences of not including it? This comment discusses those consequences from the standpoint that treating children with developmental trauma disorder at an early age will serve to prevent later sequelae.
PMID: 22589043 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
The Role of Posttraumatic Stress and Problem Alcohol Involvement in University Academic Performance.
The Role of Posttraumatic Stress and Problem Alcohol Involvement in University Academic Performance.
J Clin Psychol. 2012 May 15;
Authors: Bachrach RL, Read JP
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present study examines how Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during the first year of university affects academic performance and whether alcohol behavior mediates the relationship between PTSD and poor academic outcomes. METHOD: University students (N = 1,002; 65% female; M(age) = 18.11) completed a baseline web survey, and 5 subsequent surveys throughout freshman year assessing variables of interest. RESULTS: Mediation analyses were not significant; however, students who developed PTSD had a lower grade point average and experienced more alcohol consequences by the end of freshman year. Unremitted PTSD and alcohol consequences were associated with leaving university by year's end. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that assessment of trauma-related symptoms and alcohol behavior might benefit interventions aimed at students with academic difficulties.
PMID: 22589016 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Unmet mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of sexual minority elders.
Unmet mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of sexual minority elders.
J Homosex. 2012 May;59(5):656-74
Authors: Jessup MA, Dibble SL
Abstract
In a survey exploring the reliability and validity of a screening tool, we explored the substance abuse and mental health issues among 371 elders; 74 were sexual minorities. Analyses by age group indicated that elders 55-64 years had significantly more problems with substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts compared to those 65 and older. Bisexuals reported significantly greater problems with depression, anxiety, and suicidality than either heterosexual or lesbian or gay elders. Mental health and substance abuse treatment utilization was low among all elders with problems. Implications for assessment, access to care, and group-specific services delivery are discussed.
PMID: 22587357 [PubMed - in process]
PKC? is genetically linked to memory capacity in healthy subjects and to risk for posttraumatic stress disorder in genocide survivors.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 May 14;
Authors: de Quervain DJ, Kolassa IT, Ackermann S, Aerni A, Boesiger P, Demougin P, Elbert T, Ertl V, Gschwind L, Hadziselimovic N, Hanser E, Heck A, Hieber P, Huynh KD, Klarhöfer M, Luechinger R, Rasch B, Scheffler K, Spalek K, Stippich C, Vogler C, Vukojevic V, Stetak A, Papassotiropoulos A
Abstract
Strong memory of a traumatic event is thought to contribute to the development and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, a genetic predisposition to build strong memories could lead to increased risk for PTSD after a traumatic event. Here we show that genetic variability of the gene encoding PKC? (PRKCA) was associated with memory capacity-including aversive memory-in nontraumatized subjects of European descent. This finding was replicated in an independent sample of nontraumatized subjects, who additionally underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). fMRI analysis revealed PRKCA genotype-dependent brain activation differences during successful encoding of aversive information. Further, the identified genetic variant was also related to traumatic memory and to the risk for PTSD in heavily traumatized survivors of the Rwandan genocide. Our results indicate a role for PKC? in memory and suggest a genetic link between memory and the risk for PTSD.
PMID: 22586106 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
[Physical and Mental Long-Term Sequelae Following Intensive Care of Severe Sepsis in Patients and Relatives.]
Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol. 2012 May 14;
Authors: Jaenichen D, Brunkhorst FM, Strauß B, Rosendahl J
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the physical and mental long-term sequelae in survivors of severe sepsis and in their relatives. Furthermore, the role of resilience as protective factor was examined. We contacted all persons who had requested free of charge advice from the German Sepsis Aid's National Helpline and asked them to answer a questionnaire. We included 87 patients and 90 relatives of patients who survived a severe sepsis. About two thirds of the patients and relatives reported clinically relevant post-traumatic symptoms. There were strong dyadic relations between patient and spouses regarding physical and mental health and quality of life. Resilience was found to be a significant negative predictor of physical complaints, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms in patients and relatives. Diagnosis and therapy of mental disorders is of particular importance within primary care following sepsis.
PMID: 22585583 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
COMORBIDITY AND DISEASE BURDEN IN THE NATIONAL COMORBIDITY SURVEY REPLICATION (NCS-R).
COMORBIDITY AND DISEASE BURDEN IN THE NATIONAL COMORBIDITY SURVEY REPLICATION (NCS-R).
Depress Anxiety. 2012 May 14;
Authors: Gadermann AM, Alonso J, Vilagut G, Zaslavsky AM, Kessler RC
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Disease burden estimates rarely consider comorbidity. Using a recently developed methodology for integrating information about comorbidity into disease burden estimates, we examined the comparative burdens of nine mental and 10 chronic physical disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). METHODS: Face-to-face interviews in a national household sample (n = 5,692) assessed associations of disorders with scores on a visual analog scale (VAS) of perceived health. Multiple regression analysis with interactions for comorbidity was used to estimate these associations. Simulation was used to estimate incremental disorder-specific effects adjusting for comorbidity. RESULTS: The majority of respondents (74.9%) reported one or more disorders. Of respondents with disorders, 73.8-98.2% reported having at least one other disorder. The best-fitting model to predict VAS scores included disorder main effects and interactions for number of disorders. Adjustment for comorbidity reduced individual-level disorder-specific burden estimates substantially, but with considerable between-disorder variation (0.07-0.69 ratios of disorder-specific estimates with and without adjustment for comorbidity). Four of the five most burdensome disorders at the individual level were mental disorders based on bivariate analyses (panic/agoraphobia, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, major depression) but only two based on multivariate analyses, adjusting for comorbidity (panic/agoraphobia, major depression). Neurological disorders, chronic pain conditions, and diabetes were the other most burdensome individual-level disorders. Chronic pain conditions, cardiovascular disorders, arthritis, insomnia, and major depression were the most burdensome societal-level disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Adjustments for comorbidity substantially influence estimates of disease burden, especially those of mental disorders, underlining the importance of including information about comorbidity in studies of mental disorders.
PMID: 22585578 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
The Relationship Between Forgiveness, Spirituality, Traumatic Guilt and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Among People with Addiction.
Psychiatr Q. 2012 May 15;
Authors: Langman L, Chung MC
Abstract
Spirituality and forgiveness have been shown to be associated with psychological well-being, while guilt has been associated with poor health. Little is known, however, about the relationship between forgiveness, spirituality, guilt, posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and psychological co-morbidity among people in recovery from addiction. Eighty-one people (F = 36, M = 45) in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction were recruited from two residential units and two drop-in centres in a city in the United Kingdom. They completed the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS), the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale (SIBS), the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), the Traumatic Guilt Inventory (TGI), the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST-22) and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-20). The control group comprised of 83 (F = 34, M = 49) individuals who confirmed that they did not have addiction and completed the PDS & GHQ-28. 54 % of the addiction group met the criteria for full PTSD and reported anxiety, somatic problems and depression. They described themselves as spiritual, had strong feelings of guilt associated with their addiction, and had difficulty in forgiving themselves. Controlling for demographics, number of events and medication management, regression analyses showed that spirituality predicted psychological co-morbidity, whilst feelings of guilt predicted PTSD symptoms and psychological co-morbidity. Unexpectedly, forgiveness did not predict outcomes. This study supports existing literature, which shows that people with drug and alcohol addiction tend to have experienced significant past trauma and PTSD symptoms. Their posttraumatic stress reactions and associated psychological difficulties can be better understood in the light of guilt and spirituality. Meanwhile, their ability to forgive themselves or others did not seem to influence health outcomes.
PMID: 22585109 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Stabilizing Group Treatment for Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Related to Child Abuse Based on Psychoeducation and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial.
Psychother Psychosom. 2012 May 11;81(4):217-225
Authors: Dorrepaal E, Thomaes K, Smit JH, van Balkom AJ, Veltman DJ, Hoogendoorn AW, Draijer N
Abstract
Background: Evidence-based treatments for complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childhood abuse are scarce. This is the first randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of psycho-educational and cognitive behavioural stabilizing group treatment in terms of both PTSD and complex PTSD symptom severity. Methods: Seventy-one patients with complex PTSD and severe comorbidity (e.g. 74% axis II comorbidity) were randomly assigned to either a 20-week group treatment in addition to treatment as usual or to treatment as usual only. Primary outcome measures were the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) for PTSD and the Structured Interview for Disorders of Extreme Stress (SIDES) for complex PTSD symptoms. Statistical analysis was conducted in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and in the completer sample. Subjects were considered responders when scoring at 20 weeks at least 1 standard deviation below pretest findings. Results: The 16% attrition was relatively low. After 20 weeks, the experimental condition (large effect sizes) and control condition (medium effect sizes) both showed significant decreases on the DTS and SIDES, but differences between the conditions were not significant. The secondary responder analysis (ITT) revealed significantly more responders on the DTS (45 vs. 21%), but not on the SIDES (61 vs. 42%). Conclusions: Adding psycho-educational and cognitive behavioural stabilizing group treatment for complex PTSD related to child abuse to treatment as usual showed an equivocal outcome. Patients in both conditions improved substantially during stabilizing treatment, and while significant superiority on change scores was absent, responder analysis suggested clinical meaningfulness of adding group treatment.
PMID: 22585094 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Linking in vivo brain serotonin type 1B receptor density to phenotypic heterogeneity of posttraumatic stress symptomatology.
Mol Psychiatry. 2012 May 15;
Authors: Pietrzak RH, Henry S, Southwick SM, Krystal JH, Neumeister A
PMID: 22584868 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
When combat prevents PTSD symptoms - results from a survey with former child soldiers in Northern Uganda.
BMC Psychiatry. 2012 May 14;12(1):41
Authors: Weierstall R, Schalinski I, Crombach A, Hecker T, Elbert T
Abstract
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Human beings from time immemorial have eradicated neighbouring tribes, languages, religions, and cultures. In war and crisis, the cumulative exposure to traumatic stress constitutes a predictor of the development of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, homicide has evolved as a profitable strategy in man, leading to greater reproductive success. Thus, an evolutionary advantage of perpetrating violence would be eliminated if the exposure to aggressive acts would traumatize the perpetrator. We argue that perpetrating violence could actually 'immunize' a person against adverse effects of traumatic stressors, significantly reducing the risk of developing PTSD. METHODS: We surveyed 42 former child soldiers in northern Uganda that have all been abducted by the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) as well as 41 non-abducted controls. RESULTS: Linear regression analyses revealed a dose-response effect between the exposure to traumatic events and the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS) sum score. However, the vulnerability to develop trauma related symptoms was reduced in those with higher scores on the Appetitive Aggression Scale (AAS). This effect was more pronounced in the formerly abducted group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that attraction to aggression when being exposed to the victim's struggling can lead to a substantial risk-reduction for developing PTSD.
PMID: 22583755 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Fighting for hearts and minds.
Fighting for hearts and minds.
Behav Healthc. 2012 Mar-Apr;32(2):10-3
Authors: Troiani JE
PMID: 22550784 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
