scholarly journals A clinician's perspective on memory reconsolidation as the primary basis for psychotherapeutic change in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan A. Kimbrel ◽  
Eric C. Meyer ◽  
Jean C. Beckham

AbstractLane et al.'s proposal that psychotherapeutic change comes about through memory reconsolidation is compelling; however, the model would be strengthened by the inclusion of predictions regarding additional factors that might influence treatment response, predictions for improving outcomes for non-responsive patients, and a discussion of how the proposed model might explain individual differences in vulnerability for mental health problems.

2020 ◽  
pp. 000486742096981
Author(s):  
Richard A Bryant ◽  
Lisa Gibbs ◽  
H Colin Gallagher ◽  
Phillipa Pattison ◽  
Dean Lusher ◽  
...  

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.


2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 526-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura E. W. Leenarts ◽  
Robert R. J. M. Vermeiren ◽  
Peter M. van de Ven ◽  
Henny P. B. Lodewijks ◽  
Theo A. H. Doreleijers ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lonneke I.M. Lenferink ◽  
Joanne Mouthaan ◽  
Anna M. Fritz ◽  
Suzan Soydas ◽  
Marloes Eidhof ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundA growing body of literature shows profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, among which increased rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjustment disorder (AD). However, current research efforts have largely been unilateral, focusing on psychopathology and not including well-being, and are dominated by examining average psychopathology levels or on disorder absence/presence, thereby ignoring individual differences in mental health. Knowledge on individual differences, as depicted by latent subgroups, in the full spectrum of mental health may provide valuable insights in how individuals transition between health states and factors that predict transitioning from resilient to symptomatic classes. Our aim is to (1) identify longitudinal classes (i.e., subgroups of individuals) based on indicators of PTSD, AD, and well-being in response to the pandemic and (2) examine predictors of transitioning between these subgroups.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a three-wave longitudinal online survey-study of n ≥ 2000 adults from the general Dutch population. The first measurement occasion takes place six months after the start of the pandemic, followed by two follow-up measurements with six months intervals. Latent transition analysis will be used for data-analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from four Dutch universities. Longitudinal study designs are vital to monitor mental health (and predictors thereof) in the pandemic to develop preventive and curative mental health interventions. This study is carried out by researchers who are board members of the Dutch Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and is part of a pan-European study (initiated by the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies) examining the impact of the pandemic in eleven countries. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at conferences, via newsletters, and media-appearance among (psychotrauma-)professionals and the general public.Strengths and limitations of this studyThis is one of the first studies examining the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on negative and positive mental health in the general population.A longitudinal research design is used, which enable us to examine predictors of transitioning between mental health classes over three time points.A limitation of this study is that we used self-report measures, instead of clinical interviews, to assess mental health.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Sękowski ◽  
Małgorzata Gambin ◽  
Karolina Hansen ◽  
Paweł Holas ◽  
Sylwia Hyniewska ◽  
...  

Given the high COVID-19 mortality, the disease itself may be experienced as a life-threatening and traumatic event. Therefore, in the article we try to answer three questions that are relevant to public mental health: Should mental health professionals prepare for the increase in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence due to the pandemic? Can we define groups of COVID-19 survivors who are at higher risk of developing PTSD? How can health specialists prepare for it? Given the results of previous research on PTSD in epidemic survivors (e.g. SARS), we suggest that mental health professionals in countries touched by the pandemic should prepare for an increase in the PTSD prevalence in individuals who have had COVID-19. The PTSD risk group includes mainly individuals: from groups at increased risk of complications or who have experienced complications; who were not provided healthcare due to health service overload; experiencing additional mental health problems; healthcare workers; and stigmatized groups. We postulate that individuals who experienced COVID-19 should be routinely screened for PTSD; particular attention should be given to individuals at risk. Mental health services should prepare for providing therapeutic interventions for individuals with PTSD, and support to families, especially children, of COVID-19 survivors with PTSD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingying Xu ◽  
Sizhen Su ◽  
Zhendong Jiang ◽  
Suihuai Guo ◽  
Qingdong Lu ◽  
...  

Background: University students who are exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could be mentally distressed. We aimed to evaluate the pattern and risk factors of mental health and suicidal behavior among students who experienced long-term school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This large-sample, cross-sectional, online survey was conducted from June 29, 2020, to July 18, 2020. Eleven thousand two hundred fifty four participants were recruited from 30 universities located in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal behavior was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Insomnia Severity Index, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, and questions about suicidal ideation and attempts, respectively. Logistic regression was used to explore risk factors for mental health problems and suicidal behavior.Results: The prevalence of mental health problems was 41.5% for depressive symptoms, 32.6% for anxiety symptoms, 35.0% for insomnia symptoms, 8.5% for PTSD symptoms, and 2.0% for suicidal behavior. Participants with high stress during the pandemic were at higher risk of symptoms of depression [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.43–1.95, p < 0.01), anxiety (adjusted OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.63–2.23, p < 0.01), insomnia (adjusted OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.44–1.87, p < 0.01), PTSD (adjusted OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.38–2.11, p < 0.01) and suicidal behavior (adjusted OR = 3.51, 95% CI = 2.28–5.40, p < 0.01). Distant relationship with parents, changes in lifestyle and alcohol use during the pandemic were associated with higher risk of mental health symptoms and suicidal behavior, whereas regular physical exercise reduced the risk of mental health problems.Conclusions: The psychological symptoms and suicidal behavior were relatively high among students who attended university in Wuhan, China after 6 months of the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Comprehensive mental health services and suicide prevention strategies are essential for university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viltė Daugirdaitė ◽  
Olga van den Akker ◽  
Satvinder Purewal

Objective. The aims of this systematic review were to integrate the research on posttraumatic stress (PTS) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after termination of pregnancy (TOP), miscarriage, perinatal death, stillbirth, neonatal death, and failed in vitro fertilisation (IVF).Methods. Electronic databases (AMED, British Nursing Index, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, PubMEd, ScienceDirect) were searched for articles using PRISMA guidelines.Results. Data from 48 studies were included. Quality of the research was generally good. PTS/PTSD has been investigated in TOP and miscarriage more than perinatal loss, stillbirth, and neonatal death. In all reproductive losses and TOPs, the prevalence of PTS was greater than PTSD, both decreased over time, and longer gestational age is associated with higher levels of PTS/PTSD. Women have generally reported more PTS or PTSD than men. Sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., younger age, lower education, and history of previous traumas or mental health problems) and psychsocial factors influence PTS and PTSD after TOP and reproductive loss.Conclusions. This systematic review is the first to investigate PTS/PTSD after reproductive loss. Patients with advanced pregnancies, a history of previous traumas, mental health problems, and adverse psychosocial profiles should be considered as high risk for developing PTS or PTSD following reproductive loss.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 1423-1428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elyse R Thakur ◽  
Shubhada Sansgiry ◽  
Jennifer R Kramer ◽  
Akbar K Waljee ◽  
Jill K Gaidos ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are more susceptible to mental health problems than the general population; however, temporal trends in psychiatric diagnoses’ incidence or prevalence in the United States are lacking. We sought to identify these trends among patients with IBD using national Veterans Heath Administration data. Methods We ascertained the presence of anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder among veterans with IBD (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) during fiscal years 2000–2015. Patients with prior anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder before their first Veterans Health Administration IBD encounter were excluded to form the study cohort. We calculated annual prevalence, incidence rates, and age standardized and stratified by gender using a direct standardization method. Results We identified 60,086 IBD patients (93.9% male). The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and/or posttraumatic stress disorder increased from 10.8 per 100 with IBD in 2001 to 38 per 100 with IBD in 2015; 19,595 (32.6%) patients had a new anxiety, depression, and/or posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis during the study period. The annual incidence rates of these mental health problems went from 6.1 per 100 with IBD in 2001 to 3.6 per 100 in 2015. This trend was largely driven by decline in depression. Conclusions The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder is high among US veterans with IBD and increasing, given the chronicity of IBD and psychological diagnoses. Incidence, particularly depression, appears to be declining. Confirmation and reasons for this encouraging trend are needed.


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