PO-0939 Post-traumatic Symptomatology And Attachment Models Among Children And Adolescents With Somatic Symptom Disorders

Abstract Background Internalizing mental disorders (IMDs) (depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder) have been associated with accelerated telomere length (TL) attrition; however, this association has not been investigated in the context of genetic variation that has been found to influence TL. We have previously reported an association between IMDs and accelerated TL attrition among Ugandan HIV+ children and adolescents. This study investigated the moderating effects of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT) (rs2736100, rs7726159, rs10069690 and rs2853669) and the telomerase RNA component gene (TERC) (rs12696304, rs16847897 and rs10936599) on the association between IMDs and TL, among Ugandan HIV+ children (aged 5–11 years) and adolescents (aged 12–17 years). Results We found no significant interaction between IMDs as a group and any of the selected SNPs on TL at baseline. We observed significant interactions of IMDs with TERT rs2736100 (p = 0.007) and TERC rs16847897 (p = 0.012), respectively, on TL at 12 months. Conclusions TERT rs2736100 and TERC rs16847897 moderate the association between IMDs and TL among Ugandan HIV+ children and adolescents at 12 months. Understanding the nature of this association may shed light on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying advanced cellular aging in IMDs.

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Triggers and Clinical Presentations of Functional Neurological Disorders: Lessons from World War 1

European Neurology ◽

10.1159/000507698 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 83 (2) ◽

pp. 174-181

Author(s):

Stefanie Caroline Linden

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Somatic Symptom ◽

Somatic Symptoms ◽

Symptom Clusters ◽

Physical Factors ◽

World War ◽

Combat Experience ◽

Female Patients ◽

Symptom Profiles ◽

Somatic Symptom Disorders

Introduction: The psychological contribution to functional neurological and somatic symptom disorders is a major topic in current medical debate. Objective: For an understanding of the processes leading to functional somatic symptoms, it is paramount to explore their relationship with stress and life events and to elucidate the contribution of cultural factors. Methods: A total of 937 case records of civilian and military patients with functional somatic disorders treated in London during World War 1 were analysed. Group differences in symptom profiles and contemporaneous diagnoses were tested with χ2 tests. Results: Paralyses and speech disturbances were significantly more common in soldiers (43.3 and 17.2% of cases) than in civilian male (28.1 and 6.5%) and female patients (32.4 and 7.5%), whereas female patients had the highest rates of pain (48.6%) and somatic symptoms (67%). Triggers were identified in around two-thirds of cases and included accidents, physical illness, and work stress, in addition to the combat experience of the soldier patients. The nature of the trigger influenced symptom expression, with acute (combat and noncombat) events being particularly prone to trigger loss of motor function. Symptom profiles showed a great deal of multi-morbidity and overlap, although some symptom clusters were more (motor and speech disturbance) or less common (pain and loss of energy) in soldiers than civilians. Triggering life events in civilians were similar to those reported by patients with somatic symptom disorders today, with an important role of physical factors. Patterns of multi-morbidity and symptom clusters also resembled those of modern cohorts. Conclusions: Analysis of historical records, illness trajectories, and treatments can enhance the understanding of the presentation, mechanisms, and course of functional neurological and related disorders and their consistency over time.

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Editorial: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Complex Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.661488 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan Lachal ◽

Mayssa' El Husseini ◽

Cécile Rousseau ◽

Marie Rose Moro

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Post Traumatic

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Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for children and adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder

Journal of School and Educational Psychology ◽

10.47602/josep.v2i1.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Esra Teke ◽

Selahattin Avşaroğlu

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Eye Movement ◽

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Experiences ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Positive Results ◽

Emdr Therapy

The purpose of the present study is to examine the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for children and adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For this purpose, a framework was determined by using findings of the research and explanations at the conceptual level. PTSD is a mental disorder that is experienced after traumatic events, affects individuals cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally and threatens the integrity of an individual's life. EMDR therapy is a therapy that imaginatively reveals the past or traumatic experiences of the client through eye movements and other bilateral stimuli (two-way sound or tactile stimulus), facilitates information processing processes. Whereas EMDR was initially an approach developed for adults, it was later used for children and adolescents. The fact that it gives positive results in a short time and these positive results continue in follow-up studies has increased the interest in using EMDR for children and adolescents with PTSD. The use of EMDR for children and adolescents has allowed their problems to be resolved in a timely manner and reduced PTSD symptoms. This situation has drawn attention to the importance of using EMDR in the practice of psychological counselors working in school environments, leading places where they work with children and adolescents, and where the first preventive and interventional studies are carried out. Therefore, it is considered that the use of EMDR will be functional in overcoming these negative life experiences of many students who have been directly or indirectly exposed to traumatic experiences during the COVID-19 epidemic period.

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