FC01-04 - Exposure to traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in substance use disorder inpatients

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1813-1813
Author(s):  
C.-E. Laguerre ◽  
A. Charles-Nicolas ◽  
J. Lacoste ◽  
P. Birmes

IntroductionExposure to traumatic events is common among individuals with substance use disorders (SUD). Self-medication hypothesis posits that substances are used to relieve distressing psychological symptoms. Moreover, few studies have assessed exposure to traumatic events and Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among samples suffering from addiction.ObjectivesTo explore SUD inpatients exposure to serious traumatic events both directly (the participant himself) and/or indirectly (the family).Aims(i) to investigate the prevalence of co-morbid PTSD in SUD clinical inpatients;(ii) to identify the characteristics, severity and types of trauma experienced;(iii) to compare SUD patients with and without co-morbid PTSD on psychiatric variables.MethodsThis study compared two groups:(1) those without PTSD,(2) those with PTSD.SUD inpatients reported traumatic experiences (Trauma History Questionnaire), PTSDsymptoms (PTSD CheckList-Specific), addiction severity (Addiction Severity Index), and psychiatric symptoms (M.I.N.I.). Khi square or T tests were conducted to compare rates between non-PTSD group (SUD-only; n = 27) and PTSD group (SUD-PTSD; n = 17).ResultsAll participants (n = 44) reported having been exposed to one or more traumatic events and 17 (38.6%) met the criteria for probable current PTSD. Significant differences between the “PTSD” and “non-PTSD” groups were found on the crime cluster (p < .04), the composite score of Alcohol (p < .005), and psychiatric variables including depression (p < .001), psychotic syndromes (p < .02) and anxiety disorders (p < .0001).ConclusionsThis study highlights the prevalence of PTSD symptoms among SUD inpatients, and the importance of considering PTSD symptoms to improve quality of care for patients and their families.

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Hofman ◽  
Austin M. Hahn ◽  
Christine K. Tirabassi ◽  
Raluca M. Gaher

Abstract. Exposure to traumatic events and the associated risk of developing Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is a significant and overlooked concern in the college population. It is important for current research to identify potential protective factors associated with the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms unique to this population. Emotional intelligence and perceived social support are two identified protective factors that influence the association between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD symptomology. The current study examined the mediating role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. Participants included 443 trauma-exposed university students who completed online questionnaires. The results of this study indicated that social support mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and reported PTSD symptoms. Thus, emotional intelligence is significantly associated with PTSD symptoms and social support may play an integral role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD. The current study is the first to investigate the role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. These findings have important treatment and prevention implications with regard to PTSD.


Author(s):  
Dusko Stupar ◽  
Dejan Stevanovic ◽  
Panos Vostanis ◽  
Olayinka Atilola ◽  
Paulo Moreira ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Exposure to traumatic events in childhood is associated with the development and maintenance of various psychiatric disorders, but most frequently with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the types of traumatic events experienced and the presence and predictors of PTSD symptoms among adolescents from the general population from ten low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods Data were simultaneously collected from 3370 trauma-exposed adolescents (mean age = 15.41 [SD = 1.65] years, range 12–18; 1465 (43.5%) males and 1905 (56.5%) females) in Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Indonesia, Montenegro, Nigeria, the Palestinian Territories, the Philippines, Romania, and Serbia, with Portugal, a high-income country, as a reference point. The UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for the DSM-5 (PTSD-RI-5) was used for the assessment of traumatic events and PTSD symptoms. Results The most frequently reported traumatic events were death of a close person (69.7%), witnessing violence other than domestic (40.5%), being in a natural disaster (34.4%) and witnessing violent death or serious injury of a close person (33.9%). In total, 28.5% adolescents endorsed two to three DSM-5 PTSD criteria symptoms. The rates of adolescents with symptoms from all four DSM-5 criteria for PTSD were 6.2–8.1% in Indonesia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro, and 9.2–10.5% in Philippines, Croatia and Brazil. From Portugal, 10.7% adolescents fall into this category, while 13.2% and 15.3% for the Palestinian Territories and Nigeria, respectively. A logistic regression model showed that younger age, experiencing war, being forced to have sex, and greater severity of symptoms (persistent avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity) were significant predictors of fulfilling full PTSD criteria. Conclusions Nearly every third adolescent living in LMICs might have some PTSD symptoms after experiencing a traumatic event, while nearly one in ten might have sufficient symptoms for full DSM-5 PTSD diagnosis. The findings can inform the generation of PTSD burden estimates, allocation of health resources, and designing and implementing psychosocial interventions for PTSD in LMICs.


Journalism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 1308-1325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mina Lee ◽  
Eun Hye Ha ◽  
Jung Kun Pae

This study investigated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on Korean journalists and the contributing variables. Predicting variables included the exposure to traumatic events, coping strategy, social support, optimism, negative beliefs, and the journalists’ occupational perspectives. A total of 367 Korean journalists participated in the survey. The findings revealed that, first, Korean journalists had suffered severely from PTSD symptoms according to the prevalence rate. Second, the extent of traumatic event exposure, the length of career, the use of dysfunctional coping strategy, a lack of social support, and negative beliefs were identified as significantly related variables. Finally, occupational perspectives showed meaningful associations with development of the symptoms. This study provided an empirical analysis of Korean journalists’ experiences of traumatic events and psychological stress for the first time.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya G. Wanklyn

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) commonly cooccur following trauma, and their co-occurrence is associated with substantial costs; however, our understanding of the timing and sequencing of these posttrauma mental health conditions is limited. This study examined the trajectories of PTSD symptom severity and substance use among individuals recently exposed to a traumatic event, with a focus on the potential moderating roles of PTSD and SUD diagnoses at the final assessment. Additionally, in attempt to better understand the functional relationship between PTSD symptoms and substance use posttrauma, this study compared models reflecting the theories of self-medication, susceptibility, and mutual maintenance. Participants included 137 individuals who had experienced a traumatic event within 6 months prior to study enrollment. Participants completed four assessments over an approximate 1-year period that included clinician-administered measures for DSM-5 PTSD symptoms and SUD diagnosis and self-report measures of alcohol and drug use. Change over time in PTSD symptoms and substance use by diagnostic status were investigated using growth curve models. Temporal sequencing between PTSD symptom severity and substance use was investigated with bivariate latent difference score structural equation modeling. In line with the conceptualization of PTSD as a disorder of impeded recovery, having a diagnosis of PTSD at the final assessment moderated the trajectory of PTSD symptom severity such that symptom severity declined only among those without PTSD. In contrast, the influence of SUD appeared to be negligible. Both PTSD and SUD diagnoses were associated with initial drug use frequency. However, the relationship between alcohol use and diagnostic status did not reach statistical significance. Regarding temporal relationships between PTSD symptoms and substance use, significant and negative PTSD to change in substance use cross-lagged paths were found across most of the models, while only one significant substance use to change in PTSD severity crosslagged path emerged in the PTSD intrusion with alcohol use model. These results add to a growing body of research suggesting trauma-focused intervention is viable for individuals with PTSD/SUD. Further, examination of potential mediators and moderators of the relation between PTSD and SUD is recommended as a critical focus for future research.


2021 ◽  
pp. 070674372110118
Author(s):  
Herry Patel ◽  
Katherine Holshausen ◽  
Assaf Oshri ◽  
Krysta Andrews ◽  
Stephanie Penta ◽  
...  

Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUDs) present a complex and often severe clinical presentation within a concurrent disorders context. The objective of this study was to examine associations between PTSD symptoms and SUD outcomes to better understand the clinical phenomenon of comorbid PTSD and SUD. Multivariate statistical methods were used to test the hypothesis that elevated PTSD symptoms, both at the level of global severity and specific PTSD symptom clusters, are associated with greater substance use and related problems. Methods: Data were collected from an intake assessment battery within a specialized concurrent disorders outpatient service in Hamilton, ON. The sample comprised 326 participants (mean age = 37.19, 45.4% female). Structural equation models examined associations between PTSD and alcohol, cannabis, and substance use frequency and problems, controlling for age and sex. Alcohol was ultimately dropped from the model due to non-significant bivariate associations. Results: Higher global PTSD symptomatology was significantly associated with higher cannabis and other substance use frequency and related problems. Analyses using PTSD cluster scores showed higher scores for alterations in arousal were positively associated with cannabis-related problems, drug-related problems, and cannabis and other substance use frequency. Avoidance was significantly associated with cannabis frequency and cannabis-related problems. In general, effect sizes were small in magnitude, accounting for between 9% and 25% of variance. Conclusion: Significant cluster-level associations indicate the importance of specific PTSD symptoms (hyperarousal, avoidance) in relation to substance use when identifying therapeutic targets among individuals presenting with comorbid PTSD-SUD. This multivariate approach provides a higher resolution and potentially more clinically informative representation of the complex clinical presentation of PTSD and SUD in a concurrent disorder population and could guide the development of more effective treatment paths.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya G. Wanklyn

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) commonly cooccur following trauma, and their co-occurrence is associated with substantial costs; however, our understanding of the timing and sequencing of these posttrauma mental health conditions is limited. This study examined the trajectories of PTSD symptom severity and substance use among individuals recently exposed to a traumatic event, with a focus on the potential moderating roles of PTSD and SUD diagnoses at the final assessment. Additionally, in attempt to better understand the functional relationship between PTSD symptoms and substance use posttrauma, this study compared models reflecting the theories of self-medication, susceptibility, and mutual maintenance. Participants included 137 individuals who had experienced a traumatic event within 6 months prior to study enrollment. Participants completed four assessments over an approximate 1-year period that included clinician-administered measures for DSM-5 PTSD symptoms and SUD diagnosis and self-report measures of alcohol and drug use. Change over time in PTSD symptoms and substance use by diagnostic status were investigated using growth curve models. Temporal sequencing between PTSD symptom severity and substance use was investigated with bivariate latent difference score structural equation modeling. In line with the conceptualization of PTSD as a disorder of impeded recovery, having a diagnosis of PTSD at the final assessment moderated the trajectory of PTSD symptom severity such that symptom severity declined only among those without PTSD. In contrast, the influence of SUD appeared to be negligible. Both PTSD and SUD diagnoses were associated with initial drug use frequency. However, the relationship between alcohol use and diagnostic status did not reach statistical significance. Regarding temporal relationships between PTSD symptoms and substance use, significant and negative PTSD to change in substance use cross-lagged paths were found across most of the models, while only one significant substance use to change in PTSD severity crosslagged path emerged in the PTSD intrusion with alcohol use model. These results add to a growing body of research suggesting trauma-focused intervention is viable for individuals with PTSD/SUD. Further, examination of potential mediators and moderators of the relation between PTSD and SUD is recommended as a critical focus for future research.


1998 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
L M Najavits ◽  
R D Weiss ◽  
S Reif ◽  
D R Gastfriend ◽  
L Siqueland ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Edna B. Foa ◽  
Elizabeth A. Hembree ◽  
Barbara Olasov Rothbaum ◽  
Sheila A. M. Rauch

Foundations of prolonged exposure (PE) include (1) education about common reactions to trauma, what maintains trauma-related symptoms, and how PE reduces posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms; (2) repeated in vivo confrontation with situations, people, or objects that the patient is avoiding because they are trauma-related and cause emotional distress such as anxiety, shame, or guilt; and (3) repeated, prolonged imaginal exposure to the trauma memories followed by processing the details of the event, the emotions, and the thoughts that the patient experienced during the trauma. The aim of in vivo and imaginal exposure is to enhance emotional processing of traumatic events by helping the patient face the trauma memories and reminders and process the emotions and thoughts, as well as the details of the trauma that emerge during revisiting experiences.


2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Thomson ◽  
S Victoria Jaque

This study investigated the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in pre-professional and professional dancers (n=209) who were exposed to traumatic events. Nine self-report instruments assessed (1) adverse childhood experiences, (2) past traumatic events, (3) coping strategies under stressful situations, and (4) fantasy proneness. The psychopathology variables included (5) anxiety, (6) depression, (7) dissociation, (8) shame, and (9) PTSD diagnostic scale. Statistical calculations included descriptive, distributional, and multivariate analysis of covariates (MANCOVA). Results indicate that dancers had a significantly higher distribution of PTSD (20.2%) compared to the normal population (7.8%). They also had a higher frequency of family members with mental illness, an inability to speak about their trauma, and more suicidal thoughts. The PTSD group of dancers had higher levels of psychopathology (anxiety, depression, dissociation, and shame) and they had more childhood adversity and adult trauma. Compared to the no-PTSD group, the PTSD group had higher scores on fantasy proneness and emotion-oriented coping strategies. These coping strategies may increase psychological instability. Addressing early abuse and trauma is recommended. Clinicians may help dancers alter their internal working models that their self is worthless, others are abusive, and the world is threatening and dangerous. By understanding PTSD in dancers, medical and mental health treatment protocols may be established to address the debilitating, and often hidden, symptoms of PTSD.


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