Memory Performance in Holocaust Survivors With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

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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Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among offspring of Holocaust survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Traumatology An International Journal ◽

10.1037/trm0000269 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Emma A. Payne ◽

David Berle

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Holocaust Survivors ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

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Lifelong posttraumatic stress disorder: evidence from aging Holocaust survivors

Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience ◽

10.31887/dcns.2000.2.1/ybarak ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 57-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

World War Ii ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Holocaust Survivors ◽

Positive Association ◽

Ample Evidence ◽

Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽

World War Ii Veterans ◽

Axis I

Despite the fact that 50 years have passed since the Nazi regime and the Holocaust the psychic sequelae are far from being overcome. The majority of Holocaust survivors and World War II veterans still list their experiences as the "most significant stressors" of their lives. The literature provides ample evidence that posttraumatic stress disorder among survivors persists into old age. However, there is still a need to define the differences in frequency, clinical presentation, severity, and comorbid conditions among aging Holocaust survivors. Age at the time of trauma, cumulative lifetime stress, and physical illness are reported to have a positive association with more severe posttraumatic symptomatology. The presence of comorbid Axis i psychiatric disorders (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSIVI]), has been the focus of research by our group, demonstrating that their interaction with earlier trauma leads to a course of chronic, debilitating disease. Despite reactivation of traumatic symptoms during aging and continuous mental suffering, the majority of Holocaust survivors show good instrumental coping and preserved functioning.

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