Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Ethical and Legal Relevance to the Criminal Justice System

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Soltis ◽  
Ron Acierno ◽  
Daniel F. Gros ◽  
Matthew Yoder ◽  
Peter W. Tuerk
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Department Of Veterans Affairs ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Many ◽  
Peacekeeping Missions ◽  
Life Threat ◽  
Traumatic Event Exposure

New coverage of the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the ensuing public education campaigns by the Department of Veterans Affairs and private veterans advocacy groups combine to call the public's attention to the many potential mental health problems associated with traumatic event exposure. Indeed, since 2001, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) combat and peacekeeping missions have been characterized by high levels of exposure to acts of extreme violence, with often gruesome effects. Less publically discussed is the fact that a surprisingly large number of United States civilians also report exposure to traumatic events, such as severe interpersonal violence, natural disasters, and serious automobile accidents. In fact, approximately 70% of randomly sampled respondents indicated that they have experienced an incident characterized by significant perceived life threat at some point during their lives.

scholarly journals Multiple traumatisation as a risk factor of post-traumatic stress disorder

Psihologija ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadezda Savjak
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Reaction Index ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Comparison Of The Results ◽  
Republika Srpska ◽  
Life Threat ◽  
Effects Of War

Paper presents a part of results obtained in 1998 within action study of the psychological effects of war traumatisation in Republika Srpska. Special attention is paid to the additional impact of multiple exposure to war sufferings regarding the degree of the traumatisation (the loss of loved ones, direct life threat, the participation in combats, and the testimony of the death of other people). 229 persons were assessed in 8 towns of Republika Srpska. The comparison of the results of refugees and domicile persons at the Reaction Index - Revised speaks in favour of their significantly higher vulnerability even after three years after the end of war. Total degree of the traumatisation, as well as the symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, and hyper-arousal are significantly more frequent. In 42.5% of refugees (in relation to 26.7% of domicile persons) there is PTSP risk. The intensification of criteria proves that 17% of refugees are at high risk (in relation to 5.2% of the domiciled). It is obvious, that refuge presents traumatic event for many people, and not only chronic burden. The results suggest that the effect of direct jeopardy, combat stress, and the testimony of somebody else?s death are fading in time, but that the culmination of tangible, social, and human losses in refuge is serious risk factor for mental health.

scholarly journals Veteran and military mental health: the Australian experience

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 83-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Forbes ◽  
Olivia Metcalf
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Publicly Funded ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Military Mental Health ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Australian Experience ◽  
Peacekeeping Missions

Australia has deployed over 25 000 personnel to recent conflicts in the Middle East and has been involved in peacekeeping missions. Australian veterans report elevated rates of mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, affective disorders and substance use disorders. Veteran healthcare is delivered through publicly funded services, as well as through private services, at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Some of the challenges involve coordination of services for veterans transitioning from Defence to Veterans' Affairs, service delivery across a large continent and stigma inhibiting service-seeking. Initiatives have been introduced in screening and delivery of evidence-based treatments. While challenges remain, Australia has come a long way towards an integrated and comprehensive approach to veteran mental healthcare.

Interventions for Mental Health Problems in Later Life

2010 ◽  
pp. 810-837
Author(s):  
Jason M. Holland ◽  
Dolores Gallagher-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Worldwide Population ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Post Traumatic

Older adults are increasingly making up a larger segment of the worldwide population, which presents both challenges and opportunities for the clinical psychologist in the 21st century. In this chapter, we address some of the unique aspects of working with this population, focusing on general guidelines for tailoring interventions for older adults, specific treatments for particular problems commonly faced in later life, as well as issues of diversity and how they might impact psychotherapy with older clients. We also outline several areas in geropsychology that are in need of further investigation, namely the use of technology, post-traumatic stress, and family therapy, and offer some recommendations for future directions in this field of study.

Support for the mutual maintenance of pain and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms

2009 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 1215-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Liedl ◽  
M. O'Donnell ◽  
M. Creamer ◽  
D. Silove ◽  
A. McFarlane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Saturated Model ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundPain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequently co-morbid in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Although several models attempt to explain the relationship between these two disorders, the mechanisms underlying the relationship remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between each PTSD symptom cluster and pain over the course of post-traumatic adjustment.MethodIn a longitudinal study, injury patients (n=824) were assessed within 1 week post-injury, and then at 3 and 12 months. Pain was measured using a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). PTSD symptoms were assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to identify causal relationships between pain and PTSD.ResultsIn a saturated model we found that the relationship between acute pain and 12-month pain was mediated by arousal symptoms at 3 months. We also found that the relationship between baseline arousal and re-experiencing symptoms, and later 12-month arousal and re-experiencing symptoms, was mediated by 3-month pain levels. The final model showed a good fit [χ2=16.97, df=12, p>0.05, Comparative Fit Index (CFI)=0.999, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.022].ConclusionsThese findings provide evidence of mutual maintenance between pain and PTSD.

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