scholarly journals A Population-Based Study of Familial and Individual-Specific Environmental Contributions to Traumatic Event Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in a Norwegian Twin Sample

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 656-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ananda B. Amstadter ◽  
Steven H. Aggen ◽  
Gun Peggy Knudsen ◽  
Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud ◽  
Kenneth S. Kendler
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Familial Factors ◽  
Best Fitting ◽  
Traumatic Event Exposure

Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the only disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that requires an environmental exposure. The relationship between liability factors for trauma exposure and those for PTSD symptoms following exposure are unclear. Methods: Exposure to a trauma and resulting PTSD symptoms were assessed in a sample of 2,794 members of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health Twin Panel. Results: In the full sample, 737 twins experienced a trauma. A modified causal, contingent, common pathway model was used to examine trauma exposure and liability for PTSD. Genetic and common environmental factors could not be distinguished, so a model that included only familial and individual specific components was fit. The best-fitting model suggested that familial factors played an important role in liability for trauma exposure and for resulting PTSD symptoms, and that there was a modest transmission between trauma exposure and subsequent PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: One third of the variance in liability of PTSD symptoms is due to familial factors, and of this, approximately one fifth overlaps with the familial liability for trauma exposure while the other four fifths of the variance is specific to the risk of PTSD symptoms following exposure. The hypothesis that PTSD is etiologically similar to exposures to a traumatic event is not supported, suggesting that the factors that confer risk for trauma do not overlap completely with those that confer risk for PTSD.

The exposure to traumatic events and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder among Korean journalists

Journalism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 1308-1325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mina Lee ◽  
Eun Hye Ha ◽  
Jung Kun Pae
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Coping Strategy ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Negative Beliefs ◽  
Traumatic Event Exposure

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.

Neural Correlates of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, Trauma Exposure, and Postmigration Stress in Response to Fear Faces in Resettled Refugees

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 811-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda J. Liddell ◽  
Jessica Cheung ◽  
Tim Outhred ◽  
Pritha Das ◽  
Gin S. Malhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Cumulative Trauma ◽  
The Impact

Refugees are exposed to multiple traumatic events and postmigration stressors, elevating risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but there is limited research into how these factors affect emotional neural systems. Here, resettled refugees in Australia ( N = 85) completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan while viewing fear and neutral faces. We examined the influence of PTSD symptoms, cumulative trauma, and recent postmigration stress on neural reactivity and regional coupling within the refugee sample. Cumulative trauma and postmigration stress but not PTSD symptoms correlated with fear-related brain activity and connectivity. Trauma exposure correlated with stronger activity but overall decreased connectivity in the bilateral posterior insula/rolandic operculum, postcentral gyrus, ventral anterior cingulate cortex, and posterior cingulate gyrus. Postmigration stress correlated with fusiform gyrus hyperactivity and increased connectivity in face-processing networks. Findings highlight the impact of past trauma and recent postmigration stress on fear-related neural responses within refugees over and above PTSD symptoms.

Quetiapine Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 1875-1878 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Pirzada Sattar ◽  
Bernadette Ucci ◽  
Kathleen Grant ◽  
Subhash C Bhatia ◽  
Frederick Petty
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
English Language ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
First Case

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of improvement in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after adjunctive therapy with quetiapine. CASE SUMMARY: A 49-year-old white man witnessed a traumatic event and experienced severe PTSD. He was started on paroxetine, with increases in dosage and no significant improvement. Quetiapine was added to his regimen, with increased doses resulting in improvement of PTSD symptoms, both clinically and as measured on the Hamilton-D rating scale for depression and the clinician-administered PTSD screen. DISCUSSION: This is the first case published in the English language literature describing improvement in PTSD symptoms after treatment with quetiapine. There are several treatment options for PTSD, but some severe cases may require treatment with antipsychotic medications. Because of the lower risks of serious adverse effects, the newer atypical antipsychotics are much safer than the older antipsychotics. Although use of risperidone and olanzapine in the successful treatment of PTSD has been reported in the literature, there are no reports of quetiapine use in this clinical condition. CONCLUSIONS: Quetiapine appeared to improve clinical signs and symptoms of PTSD in this patient. It may be a treatment option in other severe cases of PTSD.

A perspective on the contribution of animal models to the pharmacological treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 342-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Bertaina-Anglade ◽  
Susan M O’Connor ◽  
Emile Andriambeloson
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Dsm 5

Objectives: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, chronic, disabling disorder that may develop following exposure to a traumatic event. This review summarizes currently used animal models of PTSD and their potential role in the development of better therapeutics. Heterogeneity is one of the main characteristics of PTSD with the consequence that many pharmacological approaches are used to relieve symptoms of PTSD. To address the translational properties of the animal models, we discuss the types of stressors used, the rodent correlates of human PTSD (DSM-5) symptoms, and the efficacy of approved, recommended and off-label drugs used to treat PTSD in ‘PTSD-animals’. Conclusions: Currently available animal models reproduce most PTSD symptoms and are validated by existing therapeutics. However, novel therapeutics are needed for this disorder as not one drug alleviates all symptoms and many have side effects that lead to non-compliance among PTSD patients. The true translational power of animal models of PTSD will only be demonstrated when new therapeutics acting through novel mechanisms become available for clinical practice.

scholarly journals Associations between posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use: a longitudinal investigation of individuals recently exposed to trauma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya G. Wanklyn
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

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.

scholarly journals Predicting Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Risk: A Machine Learning Approach (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safwan Wshah ◽  
Christian Skalka ◽  
Matthew Price
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
The United States ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms

BACKGROUND A majority of adults in the United States are exposed to a potentially traumatic event but only a handful go on to develop impairing mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). OBJECTIVE Identifying those at elevated risk shortly after trauma exposure is a clinical challenge. The aim of this study was to develop computational methods to more effectively identify at-risk patients and, thereby, support better early interventions. METHODS We proposed machine learning (ML) induction of models to automatically predict elevated PTSD symptoms in patients 1 month after a trauma, using self-reported symptoms from data collected via smartphones. RESULTS We show that an ensemble model accurately predicts elevated PTSD symptoms, with an area under the curve (AUC) of .85, using a bag of support vector machines, naive Bayes, logistic regression, and random forest algorithms. Furthermore, we show that only 7 self-reported items (features) are needed to obtain this AUC. Most importantly, we show that accurate predictions can be made 10 to 20 days posttrauma. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that simple smartphone-based patient surveys, coupled with automated analysis using ML-trained models, can identify those at risk for developing elevated PTSD symptoms and thus target them for early intervention.

scholarly journals Therapeutic effects of two antidepressant agents in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 12-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Semra Čavaljuga ◽  
Ifeta Liačnin ◽  
Nedad Mulabegović ◽  
Dubravka Potkonjak
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Startle Reaction ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Fluoxetine Hydrochloride ◽  
Catastrophic Illness ◽  
Amitriptyline Hydrochloride

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder characterised by an acute emotional response to a traumatic event or situation involving severe environmental stress (natural disasters, wars, epidemics, rape, assaults, physical torture, catastrophic illness or accident), which may be identified in cognitive, affective or sensory motor activities. The objective was to perform a pilot clinical trial designed to compare the effects of older (tricyclic) and newer “second-generation” (selective inhibitors of serotonin uptake) antidepressants in the treatment of PTSD. A total of 20 hospitalised chronic military combat Bosnian veterans with PTSD symptoms were randomly assigned into two groups of 10 patients each. One group was treated with amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMYZOL®) 75 mg/day as a representative of older antidepressants and the other with fluoxetine hydrochloride 60 mg/day (OXETIN®) as a representative of newer antidepressants. Those drugs were administered by mouth two or three times-a-day in equally divided doses for at least 8 weeks. Favourable response was achieved in 70% of patients treated with amitriptyline hydrochloride and 60% of patients treated with fluoxetine hydrochloride. Amitriptyline hydrochloride was more effective in the treatment of acute PTSD symptoms (emotional numbing, startle reaction, nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, vulnerability, poor impulse control or irritability and explosiveness). Fluoxetine hydrochloride showed a greater efficacy in the treatment of chronic PTSD symptoms (avoidance and numbing symptoms, hyperarousal, nightmares and a feeling of guilt).

scholarly journals Associations between posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use: a longitudinal investigation of individuals recently exposed to trauma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya G. Wanklyn
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document