Early Traumatic Stress Reactions among Swedish Survivors of the m/s Estonia Disaster

1996 ◽  
Vol 169 (6) ◽  
pp. 713-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils-Gustaf Eriksson ◽  
Tom Lundin

BackgroundThis study is a three-month follow-up study in order to assess the short-term impact of traumatic stress among 53 Swedish survivors of the Estonia disaster.MethodA questionnaire consisting of general questions about conditions during and after the disaster and self-assessment by Post Traumatic Symptom Scale (PTSS–10), Impact of Event Scale (IES), Sense of Coherence–short version (SoC–12), and the DSM–IV list of dissociative symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder formulated as questions regarding individual reactions was distributed.ResultsThe response rate was 79.2% (n=42). The participants scored an average of 3.9 on PTSS–10, 28.5 on IES (‘intrusion’ and ‘avoidance’ subscales) and 62.8 on SoC–12, which shows elevated levels of post-traumatic stress reactions but a normal level of sense of coherence. The reported occurrence of dissociative symptoms during the disaster was as follows: emotional numbing in 43% of the survivors, reduction of awareness in 55%, derealisation in 67%, depersonalisation in 33%, and dissociative amnesia in 29%. Survivors scoring low in SoC scored significantly higher in both PTSS–10 and IES than those with high scores in SoC. All dissociative symptoms were predictive of post-traumatic reactions.ConclusionsThis study substantiates the importance of assessing dissociative symptoms during a life-threatening event as a possible predictor for later post-traumatic reactions and possible PTSD. The Sense of Coherence Scale may be useful as an instrument to sort out survivors at risk.

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane McCarthy

It is well recognised that traumatic events can cause psychological disorders in those who experience them. The most common disorders suffered are depression and substance misuse; others include acute stress reactions, anxiety states and personality changes. One disorder following trauma that has received considerable attention over the past 20 years is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD occurs in 20–30% of people exposed to traumatic events and the prevalence in the general population is 1% (Helzer et al, 1987), with life-time prevalence of 9.2%.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Ariapooran ◽  
Mehdi Khezeli ◽  
Ahadi Batool

Abstract Background: Due to the unavailability of information and resources about COVID-19 in people with Hearing Loss (HL), especially deaf people, the psychological problems, such as PTSD and depression are probably raised in people with hearing loss (HL) during the outbreak of COVID-19. This study was conducted to compare post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in Iranian adolescents with and without HL in previous and during the outbreak of COVID-19. Methods: The statistical sample was 112 adolescents half (56) of whom was with HL, while another half (56) was without HL. The two groups were also homogenized in terms of age, gender, and education. Data were gathered using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM-5 (CPSS-5) and Children's Depression Inventory Short version (CDI: S). The data obtained were analyzed using two-way MANOVA. Results: Results showed that 46.43% and 41.04% of with-HL adolescents during the outbreak of COVID-19, and 17.87% and 25.00% of them in previous the outbreak of COVID-19 had symptoms of PTSD and depression, respectively. Results indicated that the mean score difference between PTSD and depression during and in previous the outbreak of COVID-19 [(during)-(previous)] was higher in adolescents with HL than the control group. conclusion: We concluded that psychological and medical interventions must be beneficial to decrease symptoms of PTSD and depression in adolescents (especially in deaf and hard-of-hearing adolescents) during the outbreak of COVID-19.


2017 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare E Hollingsworth ◽  
Carla Wesley ◽  
Jaymie Huckridge ◽  
Gabrielle M Finn ◽  
Michael J Griksaitis

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of symptoms of acute stress reactions (ASR) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in paediatric trainees following their involvement in child death.DesignA survey designed to identify trainees’ previous experiences of child death combined with questions to identify features of PTSD. Quantitative interpretation was used alongside a χ2 test. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant.Setting604 surveys were distributed across 13 UK health education deaneries.Participants303/604 (50%) of trainees completed the surveys.Results251/280 (90%) of trainees had been involved with the death of a child, although 190/284 (67%) had no training in child death. 118/248 (48%) of trainees were given a formal debrief session following their most recent experience. 203/251 (81%) of trainees reported one or more symptoms or behaviours that could contribute to a diagnosis of ASR/PTSD. 23/251 (9%) of trainees met the complete criteria for ASR and 13/251 (5%) for PTSD. Attending a formal debrief and reporting feelings of guilt were associated with an increase in diagnostic criteria for ASR/PTSD (p=0.036 and p<0.001, respectively).ConclusionsPaediatric trainees are at risk of developing ASR and PTSD following the death of a child. The feeling of guilt should be identified and acknowledged to allow prompt signposting to further support, including psychological assessment or intervention if required. Clear recommendations need to be made about the safety of debriefing sessions as, in keeping with existing evidence, our data suggest that debrief after the death of a child may be associated with the development of symptoms suggestive of ASR/PTSD.


2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-421
Author(s):  
A. A. Thabet ◽  
Y. Abed ◽  
P. Vostanis

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 286 Palestinian children 9-18 years of age and their mothers in the Gaza Strip. Traumatic events recollected by children living in areas of conflict, the prevalence of post-traumatic stress reactions and the relationship between children’s and mothers’ mental health were investigated. The Gaza Traumatic Events Checklist, Impact of Event Scale [IES] and General Health Questionnaire [GHQ] were used to measure outcome. Children experienced on average four traumatic events; one-third reported significant post-traumatic stress reactions. IES scores were higher among girls and mothers’ GHQ scores significantly predicted children’s IES scores.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadezhda V Soloveva ◽  
Ekaterina V Makarova ◽  
Irina V Kichuk

The authors propose term “coronavirus syndrome” for the mental disorder that is a psychical response to the global problem of COVID-19 pandemic. This syndrome will affect up to 10% of the population and we could already observe acute stress reactions to the spread of the infection and changes in people’s ordinary lifestyle. However, the most severe response will be seen later, in this case the catastrophe is similar to the clinical picture of post-traumatic stress disorder. The problem is that coronavirus syndrome will affect the working capacity of population at the period, when economical recovery is essential. The risk groups are health caregivers who worked in COVID departments; patients recovered from a severe form of the disease; people who have lost their loved ones; and those who have suffered significant financial losses or lost their jobs. Adequate prophylaxis of coronavirus syndrome especially in high-risk groups are important for maintaining global mental health and economy.


2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Marais ◽  
A. D. Stuart

The literature indicates that journalists, who have been exposed to traumatic situations, risk developing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Certain temperament traits, such as neuroticism and compulsiveness, have been found to increase vulnerability to the development of PTSD amongst police officers. Few research studies have investigated temperament and a sense of coherence as factors mediating occupational stress in journalists exposed to trauma. The aim of this study was to address this dearth by investigating whether differences in the experience of trauma, temperament traits and a sense of coherence amongst journalists will influence the degree of PTSD experienced. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised was used to divide journalists into three groups, namely, those with minor reactions ( n=10), moderate reactions ( n=24) and severe reactions of clinical importance ( n=16). Analyses of variance followed by Scheffé post hoc multiple comparisons technique indicated statistically significant differences between the three groups regarding experience of trauma as measured by the Trauma Questionnaire, temperament traits as measured by the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire and sense of coherence as measured by the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire. The results show that various factors could have an impact on how journalists deal with the traumatic stories they cover, as well as their personal outcomes after covering these stories. Journalists who develop severe PTSD differ in terms of their perceptions of the trauma, temperament profiles and sense of coherence, which impacts on their way of coping with the traumatic situations they face daily.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e041469
Author(s):  
Alida J van der Ham ◽  
Hilde P A van der Aa ◽  
Peter Verstraten ◽  
Ger H M B van Rens ◽  
Ruth M A van Nispen

ObjectiveHaving a visual impairment is known to be associated with an increased vulnerability to (potentially) traumatic events. Little is known about how people with visual impairment experience and process such events. This qualitative study aimed to provide more insight into experiences with traumatic events, consequences of traumatic events and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related care among people with visual impairment and PTSD.MethodsEighteen persons with visual impairment and (a history of) PTSD were interviewed. Among them were 14 women and 4 men aged between 23 and 66 years. Recruitment of participants was done through health professionals from two low-vision service centres and a patient association for people with eye diseases and visual impairment in The Netherlands. Interviews focused on experiences with (1) traumatic events, (2) consequences of traumatic events and (3) PTSD-related care. Thematic content analysis of interview data was performed using ATLAS.ti. The COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) checklist was used to check for completeness and transparency of the study. Data were collected between 2018 and 2020.ResultsThe most commonly reported traumatic events were sexual and physical abuse. Many participants experienced that their impairment had negatively affected their acceptance by others, independence and self-esteem, increasing their vulnerability for traumatic events. Additionally, having a visual impairment negatively impacted participants’ ability to respond to situations and aggravated post-traumatic stress reactions. Existing treatments seem suitable for people with visual impairment when accommodated to the impairment.ConclusionsHaving a visual impairment may affect traumatic events and post-traumatic stress reactions, particularly by contributing to low self-esteem, problems in social interactions and a lack of visual information. Insights from this study provide starting points for adapting pretraumatic and post-traumatic care to the needs of people with visual impairment.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 142-142
Author(s):  
C. Carmassi ◽  
C. Socci ◽  
M. Corsi ◽  
I. Pergentini ◽  
E. Massimetti ◽  
...  

IntroductionAround 9–20% of bereaved individuals experience symptoms of complicated grief (CG) associated with significant distress and impairment. Increasing research has been focused on identifying the distinctive set of psychiatric symptoms that characterize this condition with respect to major depression, corroborating the need to include this syndrome in the forthcoming DSM-V as a distinctive diagnosis. Vulnerability to CG has been rooted in attachment disturbances and authors reported that symptoms of separation anxiety in childhood should be considered as predictors of CG onset in adulthood.ObjectivesTo date no study explored symptoms of adult separation anxiety among patients with CG with respect to healthy control subjects (HC).AimsTo explore adult separation anxiety and mood spectrum symptoms in patients with CG with respect to HC.Methods53 patients with CG and 50 control subjects were recruited, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pisa. Assessments: SCID-I/P, the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27), the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), the Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the Mood Spectrum-Self Report (MOODS-SR) lifetime version.ResultsPatients with CG reported significantly higher scores on the MOODS-SR, ASA_27, IES and WSAS with respect to controls. The scores on the ASA_27 were more strongly associated with IES scores with respect to other scales.ConclusionsOur results suggest a correlation between adult separation anxiety and CG onset after the loss of a loved one in adulthood, with a possible correlation to a post-traumatic stress symptomatology. Further studies are needed.


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