Effects of Nightmare Treatment on PTSD Symptoms

Abstract Introduction Nurses report a higher prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population, and approximately 18% of nurses report having depression. Nightmares are a common symptom of PTSD, and both nightmares and PTSD are correlated with depression. Nightmares may represent a possible clinical target for improving outcomes in both disorders. This study assessed associations between PTSD and depressive symptoms with nightmare severity, and whether depressive symptoms moderated associations between PTSD and nightmare severity. Methods Participants were 461 nurses (91% female; 77% white, mean age = 38.39 years) recruited from two hospitals for a parent study. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), and 14 days of sleep diaries to assess daily nightmare frequency and severity (on a scale of 0 = not at all severe to 3 = very severe). Results 22.1% of participants reported at least one nightmare across the 14 days, with a mean daily nightmare frequency of 1.17 (SD = 2.15) and a mean severity of 0.11 (SD = 0.18). PCL-5 and PHQ-9 scores were significantly correlated with nightmare severity (r = 0.27; r = 0.24, respectively) and each other (r = 0.69). PHQ-9 scores moderated the association between PCL-5 scores and nightmare severity (β = -.01, SE = <0.01, p = 0.015). For individuals 1 SD below the PHQ-9 mean, higher PCL-5 scores were associated with higher nightmare severity. For individuals 1 SD above the PHQ-9 mean, higher PCL-5 scores were associated with higher nightmare severity, but to a lesser degree. Conclusion Both depressive and PTSD symptoms were associated with more severe nightmares. Surprisingly, the association between PTSD symptoms and nightmare severity was stronger for those with lower depressive symptoms. Results suggest depression, PTSD, and nightmares may represent a partially overlapping symptom cluster. Research should investigate how nightmare treatment may reduce PTSD and depressive symptoms. Support NIAID R01AI128359-01

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Learning and Consolidation of Verbal Declarative Memory in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Zeitschrift für Psychologie / Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1027/0044-3409/a000020 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 218 (2) ◽

pp. 135-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Slawomira J. Diener ◽

Herta Flor ◽

Michèle Wessa

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Declarative Memory ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Learning Performance ◽

Ptsd Symptoms

Impairments in declarative memory have been reported in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fragmentation of explicit trauma-related memory has been assumed to impede the formation of a coherent memorization of the traumatic event and the integration into autobiographic memory. Together with a strong non-declarative memory that connects trauma reminders with a fear response the impairment in declarative memory is thought to be involved in the maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Fourteen PTSD patients, 14 traumatized subjects without PTSD, and 13 non-traumatized healthy controls (HC) were tested with the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) to assess verbal declarative memory. PTSD symptoms were assessed with the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale and depression with the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Several indices of the CVLT pointed to an impairment in declarative memory performance in PTSD, but not in traumatized persons without PTSD or HC. No group differences were observed if recall of memory after a time delay was set in relation to initial learning performance. In the PTSD group verbal memory performance correlated significantly with hyperarousal symptoms, after concentration difficulties were accounted for. The present study confirmed previous reports of declarative verbal memory deficits in PTSD. Extending previous results, we propose that learning rather than memory consolidation is impaired in PTSD patients. Furthermore, arousal symptoms may interfere with successful memory formation in PTSD.

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Social Support, Emotional Intelligence, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000185 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 31-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nicole L. Hofman ◽

Austin M. Hahn ◽

Christine K. Tirabassi ◽

Raluca M. Gaher

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Emotional Intelligence ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Events ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

The Relationship

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.

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