Investigating the experience of individuals with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and substance misuse attending a Seeking Safety group

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jac Neirin Airdrie ◽  
Alexandra Lievesley ◽  
Emma Griffith
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clinically Significant Change ◽  
Seeking Safety ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
Clinically Significant

Purpose There is no specific recommended treatment for the co-morbid presentation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder in the United Kingdom (UK). Seeking Safety (SS), a group-based treatment that targets symptoms of both disorder, has emerging evidence in the USA but lacks evidence from UK-based samples. The purpose of this study was to explore UK service users’ experience of attending SS and evaluate its impact on mental health symptomology and substance misuse. Design/methodology/approach A mixed method approach was used to evaluate the acceptability of SS for a small sample (n = 7) of adult users of a substance misuse service in the UK. Thematic analysis was used to explore their experiences, derived from individual semi-structured interviews. The authors also calculated the number of participants who achieved reliable and/or clinically significant change in mental health symptomology and substance misuse from data routinely collected by the service. Findings Seven overarching themes emerged: strengthening the foundations of the self, the evocation and management of emotions, safety and validation provided relationally, readiness and commitment, content and delivery, Seeking Safety is Not an Island and ending. Most participants with data available both before and after the group made reliable (three out of four) and clinically significant (two out of three) change for depression and anxiety symptomology; however, this was less evident for PTSD symptomology with two out of three making reliable change and one out of three making clinically significant change. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first study exploring the experiences of UK attendees of a SS group as an approach to treating comorbid PTSD and substance misuse.

The prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder among internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Oyine Aluh ◽  
Roland Nnaemeka Okoro ◽  
Adamu Zimboh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Internally Displaced Persons ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internally Displaced ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Post Traumatic

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri. Design/methodology/approach The study was a cross-sectional study that took place among the six IDP camps located in Maiduguri metropolis in Borno State. A non-randomized technique was used to sample 1,200 respondents. Face-to-face interviews with selected members of households were carried out confidentially. The study used the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Impact of Event Scale-6 which were translated to Kanuri. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed using SPSS version 21. Findings The response rate was 100 percent. In total, 96.1 percent (1,153) of the respondents were depressed, while 78 percent (936) of the respondents were symptomatic for PTSD. The prevalence rate of comorbid PTSD with depression was 68.1 percent (817). About one-third of the respondents had moderately severe depression (29.6 percent, n=355) while about one in ten of them were severely depressed (11.3 percent, n=136). The odds of being depressed was 3.308 higher in people aged 51–60 years compared to people between 18 and 20 years. Significant predictors of depression in the sampled population were screening positive for PTSD and being unemployed. Practical implications The high prevalence of depression and PTSD among the sampled population calls for structured interventions to deal with mental health problems. The study findings suggest the need for more research (preferably qualitative) on the mental health issues in this population. Originality/value This study contributes to the sparse available literature on the mental health of IDPs in Nigeria.

Anxiety Associated With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder—The Role of Quantitative Electro- encephalograph in Diagnosis and in Guiding Neurofeedback Training to Remediate the Anxiety

Biofeedback ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan E. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neurofeedback Training ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
Clinically Significant

Abstract The literature regarding neurofeedback treatment of anxiety associated with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is reviewed. The results of quantitative electroencephalograph (QEEG) guided neurofeedback training for anxiety in nineteen PTSD patients is analyzed, along with the change in anxiety in four control patients who did not do neurofeedback. Those who did neurofeedback training experienced clinically significant reductions in anxiety, whereas there was no significant change in anxiety in the control group. QEEG-guided neurofeedback appears to be effective in a higher percentage of patients than non–QEEG-guided training in increasing alpha and theta, based on results in the published literature.

scholarly journals Heart Rate Variability Analysis: How Much Artifact Can We Remove?

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 960-965
Author(s):  
David C. Sheridan ◽  
Ryan Dehart ◽  
Amber Lin ◽  
Michael Sabbaj ◽  
Steven D. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Analysis ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Clinically Significant Change ◽  
Hrv Analysis ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
The Impact

Objective Heart rate variability (HRV) evaluates small beat-to-beat time interval (BBI) differences produced by the heart and suggested as a marker of the autonomic nervous system. Artifact produced by movement with wrist worn devices can significantly impact the validity of HRV analysis. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of small errors in BBI selection on HRV analysis and produce a foundation for future research in mental health wearable technology.Methods This was a sub-analysis from a prospective observational clinical trial registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03030924). A cohort of 10 subject’s HRV tracings from a wearable wrist monitor without any artifact were manipulated by the study team to represent the most common forms of artifact encountered.Results Root mean square of successive differences stayed below a clinically significant change when up to 5 beats were selected at the wrong time interval and up to 36% of BBIs was removed. Standard deviation of next normal intervals stayed below a clinically significant change when up to 3 beats were selected at the wrong time interval and up to 36% of BBIs were removed. High frequency HRV shows significant changes when more than 2 beats were selected at the wrong time interval and any BBIs were removed.Conclusion Time domain HRV metrics appear to be more robust to artifact compared to frequency domains. Investigators examining wearable technology for mental health should be aware of these values for future analysis of HRV studies to improve data quality.

scholarly journals Paranoia in patients attending child and adolescent mental health services

2021 ◽  
pp. 000486742098141
Author(s):  
Jessica C Bird ◽  
Emma C Fergusson ◽  
Miriam Kirkham ◽  
Christina Shearn ◽  
Ashley-Louise Teale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Peer Difficulties

Objective: Paranoia may be particularly prevalent during adolescence, building on the heightened social vulnerabilities at this age. Excessive mistrust may be corrosive for adolescent social relationships, especially in the context of mental health disorders. We set out to examine the prevalence, symptom associations, and persistence of paranoia in a cohort of young people attending child and adolescent mental health services. Method: A total of 301 patients (11–17 years old) completed measures of paranoia, affect, peer difficulties and behavioural problems. Clinicians also rated each participant’s psychiatric symptoms. Patterns of association were examined using linear regressions and network analyses. In total, 105 patients repeated the measures several months later. Results: Most of the adolescents had affective disorders ( n = 195), self-harm/suicidality ( n = 82), or neurodevelopmental conditions ( n = 125). Few had suspected psychosis ( n = 7). Rates of paranoia were approximately double compared with previous reports from the general population. In this patient sample, 35% had at least elevated paranoia, 15% had at least moderate paranoia, and 6% had high paranoia. Paranoia had moderate associations with clinician-rated peer difficulties, self-harm, and trauma, and small associations with clinician-rated social anxiety, depression, generalised anxiety, and educational problems. Network analyses showed paranoia had the strongest unique relationship with peer difficulties. Paths from peer difficulties to anxiety, self-harm, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and behavioural problems were all via paranoia. Both self-harm and post-traumatic stress disorder were solely associated with paranoia in the network. Paranoia remained persistent for three-quarters and was associated with greater psychological problems over time. Conclusion: Paranoia is relatively common and persistent across a range of clinical presentations in youth. When paranoia occurs alongside emotional problems, important peer interactions may be adversely affected. Wider consideration of paranoia in adolescent patients is needed.

scholarly journals Exploring the impact of COVID-19 and restrictions to daily living as a result of social distancing within veterans with pre-existing mental health difficulties

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjmilitary-2020-001622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Murphy ◽  
C Williamson ◽  
J Baumann ◽  
W Busuttil ◽  
N T Fear
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionData are emerging showing the adverse consequences on mental health of the general public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is known about the needs of veterans with pre-existing mental health difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsData were collected through a cross-sectional online survey from a randomly selected sample (n=1092) of military veterans who have sought help for mental health difficulties from a veteran-specific UK-based charity. The response rate was 25.2% (n=275). Participants were asked to complete a range of standardised mental health outcomes (post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, common mental health difficulties (CMDs): 12-Item General Health Questionnaire, difficulties with anger: 5-Item Dimensions of Anger Reactions—Revised and alcohol misuse: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) and endorse a list of potential stressors related to changes to daily life resulting from COVID-19. Regression analyses were fitted to explore predictors of mental health severity.ResultsIt was observed that symptoms of common mental disorder and PTSD (69.3% and 65.0%, respectively) were the most commonly reported to have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Lack of social support and reporting increasing numbers of stressors related to COVID-19 were consistently associated with increasing severity of a range of mental health difficulties.ConclusionsOur findings suggest veterans who had pre-existing mental health difficulties prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 may be at increased risk of experiencing CMDs as a result of the pandemic. Intervening to improve levels of social support and offering practical guidance to better manage any additional stressors relating to the pandemic may provide strategies to help reduce the burden of mental health symptoms.

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