Psychiatric morbidity and protracted symptoms in recovered COVID-19 patients

AbstractWe investigated the psychiatric symptomatology and the protracted symptoms in recently recovered COVID-19 patients. This cross-sectional study assessed 284 patients recruited from a tertiary hospital. Patients completed a web-based survey on socio-demographic data, past medical/psychiatric history, and additional information relevant to the outbreak conditions. The psychiatric status was assessed using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and MINI suicidality scale. Patients completed a checklist for the acute symptom burden and protracted symptoms that were experienced after the acute infection. After a mean of 50 days following the diagnosis of COVID-19, 98 patients (34.5%) reported clinically significant PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression, with PTSD being the most common condition reported (25.4%). One hundred and eighteen patients (44.3%) reported one or more protracted symptom(s), with fatigue, muscle aches, alteration of smell/taste, headache and difficulty in concentration, being the most common symptoms reported. Predictors of PTSD symptom severity were the female gender, past traumatic events, protracted symptoms, perceived stigmatization, and a negative view on the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that PTSD symptom severity was the sole independent predictor of the presence of protracted symptoms. Our results suggest that COVID-19 patients may be prone to substantial psychological distress in the first months after the infection. The protracted symptoms were also frequent in this period, and these were related to the posttraumatic psychiatric morbidity. Both the psychiatric morbidity and the protracted symptoms were independent of the initial infection severity. Further research on the neurobiological commonalities between the protracted symptoms and PTSD in COVID-19 patients is warranted.

Download Full-text

The impact of changes in distress tolerance on PTSD symptom severity post-treatment among veterans in residential trauma treatment

Journal of Anxiety Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.janxdis.2017.01.004 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 99-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Anne N. Banducci ◽

Kevin M. Connolly ◽

Anka A. Vujanovic ◽

Jennifer Alvarez ◽

Marcel O. Bonn-Miller

Keyword(s):

Symptom Severity ◽

Distress Tolerance ◽

Ptsd Symptom ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Trauma Treatment ◽

Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽

The Impact

Download Full-text

Stress and Coping of Critical Care Nurses After Unsuccessful Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

American Journal of Critical Care ◽

10.4037/ajcc2017916 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 128-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Dawn E. McMeekin ◽

Ronald L. Hickman ◽

Sara L. Douglas ◽

Carol G. Kelley

Keyword(s):

Critical Care ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Ptsd Symptom ◽

Institutional Support ◽

Critical Care Nurses ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Coping Behaviors ◽

Event Scale ◽

Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽

The Impact

Background Participation by a critical care nurse in an unsuccessful resuscitation can create a unique heightened level of psychological stress referred to as postcode stress, activation of coping behaviors, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objectives To explore the relationships among postcode stress, coping behaviors, and PTSD symptom severity in critical care nurses after experiencing unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitations and to see whether institutional support attenuates these repeated psychological traumas. Methods A national sample of 490 critical care nurses was recruited from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ eNewsline and social media. Participants completed the Post-Code Stress Scale, the Brief COPE (abbreviated), and the Impact of Event Scale–Revised, which were administered through an online survey. Results Postcode stress and PTSD symptom severity were weakly associated (r = 0.20, P = .01). No significant associations between coping behaviors and postcode stress were found. Four coping behaviors (denial, self-distraction, self-blame, and behavioral disengagement) were significant predictors of PTSD symptom severity. Severity of postcode stress and PTSD symptoms varied with the availability of institutional support. Conclusions Critical care nurses show moderate levels of postcode stress and PTSD symptoms when asked to recall an unsuccessful resuscitation and the coping behaviors used. Identifying the critical care nurses most at risk for PTSD will inform the development of interventional research to promote critical care nurses’ psychological well-being and reduce their attrition from the profession.

Download Full-text

The invisible scars of emotional abuse: a common and highly harmful form of childhood maltreatment

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03134-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Camila Monteiro Fabricio Gama ◽

Liana Catarina Lima Portugal ◽

Raquel Menezes Gonçalves ◽

Sérgio de Souza Junior ◽

Liliane Maria Pereira Vilete ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Emotional Abuse ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Ptsd Symptom ◽

Traumatic Experiences ◽

Student Sample ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Childhood maltreatment (CM) is unfortunately widespread globally and has been linked with an increased risk of a variety of psychiatric disorders in adults, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These associations are well established in the literature for some maltreatment forms, such as sexual and physical abuse. However, the effects of emotional maltreatment are much less explored, even though this type figures among the most common forms of childhood maltreatment. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the impact of each type of childhood maltreatment, both individually and conjointly, on revictimization and PTSD symptom severity using a nonclinical college student sample. Methods Five hundred and two graduate and undergraduate students participated in the study by completing questionnaires assessing lifetime traumatic experiences in general, maltreatment during childhood and PTSD symptoms. Bivariate and multivariate negative binomial regressions were applied to examine the associations among childhood maltreatment, revictimization, and PTSD symptom severity. Results Our results showed that using bivariate models, all types of CM were significantly associated with revictimization and PTSD symptom severity. Multivariate models showed that emotional abuse was the type of maltreatment associated with the highest incidence rates of revictimization and PTSD symptom severity. Conclusions These data provide additional evidence of the harmful effects of childhood maltreatment and its long-term consequences for individuals’ mental health. Notably, the findings highlight the importance of studying the impacts of emotional abuse, which seems to be a highly prevalent, understudied, and chronic form of maltreatment that is as toxic as other maltreatment forms.

Download Full-text

Physical activity, post-traumatic stress disorder, and exposure to torture among asylum seekers in Sweden: a cross-sectional study

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03461-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Henrik Nilsson ◽

Catharina Gustavsson ◽

Maria Gottvall ◽

Fredrik Saboonchi

Keyword(s):

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Asylum Seekers ◽

Ptsd Symptom ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽

Different Levels

Abstract Background Forced migrant populations have high rates of trauma-related ill health, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical activity (PA) is well-established as an effective stress reliever, while insufficient PA is associated with adverse effects on both mental and physical health. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of different levels of PA and its association with PTSD symptom severity, controlled for exposure to torture, among asylum seekers in Sweden. Methods A cross-sectional survey study, with data from 455 asylum seekers, originating from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia, and Syria, residing at large housing facilities across Sweden. Level of PA was assessed by the Exercise Vital Sign and categorized as; Inactive, Insufficient PA, and Sufficient PA. Prevalence estimates for proportions of different levels of PA were calculated. Analysis of variance were conducted to determine the association between levels of PA and PTSD symptom severity, measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the contribution of PA on PTSD beyond sex, age, and exposure to torture. Results About half of the participants (53.3, 95% CI: 48.6–58.1) met the recommendations for Sufficient PA. One third of the participants (33.3, 95% CI: 28.7–37.8) were insufficiently engaged in PA, and 13.4% (95% CI: 10.1–16.7) were inactive. There was a significant difference in PTSD symptom severity between groups of asylum seekers with different levels of PA (F(2, 316) = 23.15, p < .001). When controlling for sex, age, and exposure to torture, Sufficient PA was found to be associated with less PTSD symptom severity compared to both Insufficient PA (B = 0.297, SE = 0.086, p < .001) and Inactive (B = 0.789, SE = 0.104, p < .001). Conclusions Insufficient PA was common among the asylum seekers and our findings suggest that more PA is highly associated with lower PTSD symptom severity. An increased focus on assessment and promotion of PA is justified and discussed as particularly pertinent considering the much extended time of asylum-seeking processes. The results support previous evidence of PA as a potentially important factor in the context of PTSD and forced migrants’ health.

Download Full-text

Physical activity, post-traumatic stress disorder, and exposure to torture among asylum seekers in Sweden: a cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-274063/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Henrik Nilsson ◽

Catharina Gustavsson ◽

Maria Gottvall ◽

Fredrik Saboonchi

Keyword(s):

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Asylum Seekers ◽

Ptsd Symptom ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽

Different Levels

Abstract Background: Forced migrant populations have high rates of trauma-related ill health, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical activity (PA) is well-established as an effective stress reliever, while insufficient PA is associated with adverse effects on both mental and physical health. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of different levels of PA and its association with PTSD symptom severity, controlled for exposure to torture, among asylum seekers in Sweden. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study, with data from 455 asylum seekers, originating from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia, and Syria, residing at large housing facilities across Sweden. Level of PA was assessed by the Exercise Vital Sign and categorized as; Inactive, Insufficient PA, and Sufficient PA. Prevalence estimates for proportions of different levels of PA were calculated. Analysis of variance were conducted to determine the association between levels of PA and PTSD symptom severity, measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the contribution of PA on PTSD beyond sex, age, and exposure to torture. Results: About half of the participants (53.3%, 95% CI: 48.6-58.1) met the recommendations for Sufficient PA. One third of the participants (33.3%, 95% CI: 28.7-37.8) were insufficiently engaged in PA, and 13.4% (95% CI: 10.1-16.7) were inactive. There was a significant difference in PTSD symptom severity between groups of asylum seekers with different levels of PA (F(2, 316) = 23.15, p < .001). When controlling for sex, age, and exposure to torture, Sufficient PA was found to be associated with less PTSD symptom severity compared to both Insufficient PA (B = 0.297, SE = 0.086, p < .001) and Inactive (B = 0.789, SE = 0.104, p < .001).Conclusions: Insufficient PA was common among the asylum seekers and our findings suggest that more PA is highly associated with better mental health in these populations. An increased focus on assessment and promotion of PA is justified during the extended time of asylum-seeking processes. The result support PA as a potentially viable treatment component in PTSD.

Download Full-text

Self-Compassion and Responses to Trauma: The Role of Emotion Regulation

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260515622296 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (13) ◽

pp. 2016-2036 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Arielle A. J. Scoglio ◽

Deirdre A. Rudat ◽

Donn Garvert ◽

Maggie Jarmolowski ◽

Christie Jackson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Symptom Severity ◽

Emotion Dysregulation ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

Ptsd Symptom ◽

Clinical Population ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Emerging literature suggests that self-compassion may be an important concept for understanding recovery from the impact of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study explored the interconnection among self-compassion, resilience, emotion dysregulation, and PTSD symptom severity in a sample of treatment-seeking women with PTSD. We predicted that self-compassion would be negatively related to PTSD symptom severity and to emotion dysregulation, and positively related to resilience. The results supported our main hypotheses. In addition, emotion dysregulation mediated the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and self-compassion and affected the relationship between self-compassion and resilience. These findings corroborate previous research that points to the important role of self-compassion in mental health and in the aftermath of stressful life events. The present study expands this research by demonstrating that PTSD symptom severity is negatively related to self-compassion in a clinical population of women with experiences of severe and repeated interpersonal trauma.

Download Full-text

The impact of depression and PTSD symptom severity on trauma memory

Memory ◽

10.1080/09658211.2017.1334801 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 106-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Andrea R. Ashbaugh ◽

Julia Marinos ◽

Brad Bujaki

Keyword(s):

Symptom Severity ◽

Ptsd Symptom ◽

Trauma Memory ◽

Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽

The Impact

Download Full-text

The impact of treatment condition and the lagged effects of PTSD symptom severity and alcohol use on changes in alcohol craving

Behaviour Research and Therapy ◽

10.1016/j.brat.2016.02.001 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 79 ◽

pp. 7-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Antonia N. Kaczkurkin ◽

Anu Asnaani ◽

Elizabeth Alpert ◽

Edna B. Foa

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Use ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Treatment Condition ◽

Ptsd Symptom ◽

Alcohol Craving ◽

Lagged Effects ◽

Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽

The Impact

Download Full-text

Assessing dysfunctional expectations in posttraumatic stress disorder – Development and validation of the Posttraumatic Expectations Scale (PTES)

10.31234/osf.io/e6g4b ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Philipp Herzog ◽

Tim Kaiser ◽

Winfried Rief ◽

Eva-Lotta Brakemeier ◽

Tobias Kube

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Ptsd Symptom ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Self Report ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Excellent Internal Consistency ◽

Ptsd Symptom Severity

Dysfunctional expectations are a particularly important subset of cognitions that influence the development and maintenance of various mental disorders. This study aimed to develop and validate a scale to assess dysfunctional expectations in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the “Posttraumatic Expectations Scale” (PTES). In a cross-sectional study, 70 PTSD patients completed the PTES, the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI), as well as measures of the severity of symptoms of PTSD and depression. The results show that the PTES has excellent internal consistency and correlates significantly with the PTCI and PTSD symptom severity. A regression analysis revealed that the PTES explained variance of PTSD symptom severity above the PTCI, supporting the incremental validity of the PTES. While the original version of the PTES comprises 81 items, short scales were constructed using the BISCUIT method. The current findings suggest that the PTES is a reliable and valid novel self-report measure in patients with PTSD.

Download Full-text