Psychophysiologic assessment of mental imagery of stressful events in israeli civilian posttraumatic stress disorder patients

1997 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 269-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arieh Y Shalev ◽  
Tuvia Peri ◽  
Euvgenia Gelpin ◽  
Scott P Orr ◽  
Roger K Pitman
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Mental Imagery ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Psychophysiologic Assessment

An Exploration of Prospective Imagery: The Impact of Future Events Scale

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Deeprose ◽  
Emily A. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Mental Imagery ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
The Future ◽  
Future Events ◽  
The Impact

Background: Mental imagery of the future has clear clinical importance, although little is known about intrusive, prospective imagery of personally-relevant events. Currently, no measure is available to assess this. Aims: The Impact of Future Events Scale (IFES) was created to assess the impact of intrusive, prospective, personally-relevant imagery. It was examined in relation to predictions about dysphoria. Method: To form the IFES, the IES-R (a measure of the impact of a past traumatic event on posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology such as intrusive re-experiencing) was adapted item-by-item to assess intrusive “pre-experiencing” and imagery of specific, future events. Participants (N = 75) completed the IFES and assessments of depression, anxiety and general imagery use. Results: As predicted, the IFES significantly and positively correlated with depression scores. Analyses using subgroups of non-dysphoric and mild-dysphoric participants confirmed that the mild-dysphoric group reported significantly higher IFES scores, indicating higher levels of pre-experiencing of the future and related hyperarousal and avoidance. Conclusions: IFES provides a measure of the impact of “pre-experiencing” in the form of intrusive prospective, personally-relevant imagery, with sensitivity to group differences on the basis of depression scores. Further research is required to extend these finding into clinical depression and other psychopathological conditions.

Psychophysiologic assessment of women with posttraumatic stress disorder resulting from childhood sexual abuse.

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 906-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott P. Orr ◽  
Natasha B. Lasko ◽  
Linda J. Metzger ◽  
Nancy J. Berry ◽  
Caryl E. Ahern ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychophysiologic Assessment

Recent Developments in the Neuroendocrinology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

CNS Spectrums ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (S2) ◽  
pp. 22-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Yehuda
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Physical Assault ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Per Se

In 1980, the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was established to recognize that exposure to events such as rape, physical assault, torture, or combat can leave long-lasting psychological scars in persons who undergo these experiences. The intention of the diagnosis was to acknowledge that exposure to a traumatic event was a sufficient explanation for the occurrence of longterm psychological problems. Prior to this formulation, stressful events were thought to precipitate symptoms that would resolve over time. The symptoms manifested by persons following adverse events were characterized as transient adjustment reactions. Longerterm symptoms were considered to be a reflection of underlying neurosis, rather than stress exposure per se.The diagnosis of PTSD provided a paradigm for acknowledging that exposure to devastating trauma can produce symptoms that can be quite severe and chronic in nature. Although many of the symptoms of PTSD were similar to those that occur in other anxiety or mood disorders, the hallmark of PTSD appeared to be a preoccupation with the traumatic event and a resultant set of behavioral changes that occurred because of attempts to avoid reminders of the event.

Intrusive Memories and Modality-Specific Mental Imagery in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2010 ◽  
Vol 218 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Jelinek ◽  
Sarah Randjbar ◽  
Michael Kellner ◽  
Angnes Untiedt ◽  
Jana Volkert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Mental Imagery ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Sensory Quality ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Intrusive Memories ◽  
The Impact

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by vivid intrusive memories of the trauma. Among these, visual sensations of the trauma are most commonly reported. However, intrusions may involve other senses as well (e.g., acoustic, olfactory, or bodily sensations). It has been proposed that enhanced mental imagery may predispose individuals with traumatic experiences to intrusions and ultimately to PTSD. A total of 58 victims of interpersonal violence with current (n = 20), past (n = 19), and no lifetime PTSD (n = 19) as well as non-traumatized controls (n = 23) were assessed with the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ) and a modality-specific imagery questionnaire. Moreover, the sensory quality of the traumatic intrusions was assessed in traumatized participants. Participants with recovered PTSD displayed less overall mental imagery than the other three groups who were indistinguishable. No relation was found between the modality-specific mental imagery and the sensory quality of the intrusions. The impact of mental imagery on intrusive memories in PTSD is complex. Less mental imagery appears beneficial in the recovery process, but does not prevent the development of intrusive symptoms in the first place. Further investigation of perceptual and memory vividness as well imagery control (i.e., to sustain, modify, or terminate an image) also including trauma-related material may be important for trauma-specific interventions.

scholarly journals Przegląd narzędzi diagnostycznych i metod pomiaru zespołu stresu pourazowego (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD) z możliwością wykorzystania wśród ratowników medycznych / Overview of diagnostic tools and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) measurement methods with the possibility of use among paramedics

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-49
Author(s):  
Justyna Kosydar-Bochenek ◽  
Bogumił Lewandowski ◽  
Dorota Ozga ◽  
Krystyna Woźniak
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Rating

Abstract The profession of a paramedic involves a constant contact with traumatic events - road accidents, disasters, acts of violence and so on. As a consequence of such frequent and long-lasting exposure to traumatic events, paramedics are prone to developing PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder). This is a chronic disorder impacting cognitive, emotional, behavioral and somatic experiences. As a result of a prolonged exposure to stressful events, such condition can be life threatening. There are two ways of diagnosing PTSD: structured interviews and self-rating questionnaires (self-rating scales). The researcher should choose the best method possible relying not only on its procedure. In addition, merit based factors and psychometric parameters should be taken into consideration. The present article provides an overview of both Polish as well as foreign PTSD assessment methods, which could be incorporated into the research conducted in a group of paramedics.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladan Starcevic, MD, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Traumatic Experience ◽  
Dissociative Disorder ◽  
Compensation Claims ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Rare Opportunity

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops in predisposed individuals who have had a traumatic experience. There are many different ways in which PTSD presents itself, and only some of them(e.g., avoidance behavior, symptoms of hyperarousal)make it look like other anxiety disorders. Various manifestations of PTSD have led to its also being considered primarily a disorder of memory, a dissociative disorder, or a condition more closely related to depression. Given the presumed etiological link between a traumatic event and PTSD, there is a rare opportunity among psychiatric disorders for implementation of strategies that might prevent the development of PTSD. Most people recover after trauma, while many of those who do develop PTSD remit spontaneously. Still, a proportion of traumatized people develop a chronic form of PTSD–a condition that is often very difficult to treat. Posttraumatic stress disorder has been a controversial entity since its official introduction in the psychiatric classification in 1980.Anumber of issues have arisen, and many of them remain unresolved. Some of the key questions are listed below…. 1. Is the concept of PTSD too heterogeneous? 2. Are there different types of PTSD or different disorders arising in the aftermath of trauma? 3. Has the concept of a traumatic event become too broad? Alternatively, can a greater variety of stressful events precipitate PTSD? 4. Is the occurrence of trauma necessary for the development of PTSD? 5. Are there any specific or unique features of PTSD, which would allow its differentiation from related disorders? 6. Has the concept of PTSD been overused or misused, especially in the context of compensation claims and litigation? Does PTSD reflect a ‘‘medicalization’’ of the normal human reactions and emotions in response to trauma? 7. What accounts for the fact that the majority of trauma victims recover spontaneously from early PTSD-like symptoms, whereas some go on to develop a chronic, severe, and debilitating PTSD? Has there been too much emphasis on vulnerability to developing post-trauma psychopathology and too little attention paid to factors such as resilience? 8. Why do we still have a difficulty understanding what combination of risk factors best predicts the development of PTSD?

The dynamic course of psychological outcomes following the Victorian Black Saturday bushfires

2020 ◽  
pp. 000486742096981
Author(s):  
Richard A Bryant ◽  
Lisa Gibbs ◽  
H Colin Gallagher ◽  
Phillipa Pattison ◽  
Dean Lusher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Psychological Disorder ◽  
Property Loss

Objectives: To profile the long-term mental health outcomes of those affected by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and to document the course of mental health since the disaster. Method: The longitudinal Beyond Bushfires study included 1017 respondents (Wave 1; 3–4 years after the fires), 736 (76.1%) at Wave 2 (5 years after the fires) and 525 (51.6%) at Wave 3 (10 years after the fires). The survey indexed fire-related and subsequent stressful events, probable posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, alcohol use, severe distress and receipt of health services for mental health problems. Results: Relative to their status 3–4 years after the fires, there were reduced rates of fire-related posttraumatic stress disorder (6.2% vs 12.2%), general posttraumatic stress disorder (14.9% vs 18.7%) and severe distress (4.4% vs 7.5%) at 10 years. There were comparable rates between Wave 1 and Wave 3 for depression (10.9% vs 8.3%) and alcohol abuse (21.8% vs 18.5%). Of people in high-affected regions, 22.1% had posttraumatic stress disorder, depression or severe distress at Wave 3. One-third to one-half of participants who reported probable posttraumatic stress disorder or depression at any assessment did not display the disorder at the next assessment. Worsening of mental health at Wave 3 was associated with the extent of property loss, exposure to recent traumatic events or recent stressful life events. Only 24.6% of those with a probable disorder had sought professional help for this in the previous 6 months. Conclusion: Approximately one-fifth of people from high-affected areas have a probable psychological disorder a decade after the fires. Mental health appears to fluctuate for those who are not consistently resilient, apparently as a result of ongoing stressors. The observation that most people with probable disorder are not receiving care highlights the need for further planning about managing long-term mental health needs of disaster-affected communities.

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