The Political Aesthetics of the Body of the Soldier in Pain

2020 ◽  
pp. 54-73
Author(s):  
Federica Caso
Keyword(s):  
Recent Work ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Political ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Political Aesthetics ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Ambivalent Relationship

This chapter explores the recent work of Australian artist Ben Quilty on combat fatigue and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) collected in the exhibition After Afghanistan. After Afghanistan presents a series of large-scale paintings of soldiers and veterans evoking the bodily imprints of combat fatigue and PTSD. The bodies are naked, in the grasp of sensations and emotions. The chapter argues that this work has an ambivalent relationship to militarisation, whereby it proposes an alternative iconography of the modern soldier which seeds transformative potentials against the militarisation of the body; simultaneously, however, the iconography of the body of the soldier in pain has been co-opted as a militarising technology that silences opposition and contestation to war in the name of compassion towards the soldiers.

The Association between COMT Val158Met Polymorphism and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Risk: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Mi Su ◽  
Yongyan Song
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Val158met Polymorphism ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Genetic factors were suggested to have influence on the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The possible association between catechol-O-methyltransferase (<i>COMT</i>) Val158Met polymorphism and PTSD has been evaluated in several studies. But the results were still controversial. Therefore, we conduct this meta-analysis to address these issues. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for eligible studies. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to estimate the association between <i>COMT</i> Val158Met polymorphism and PTSD. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Five articles including 6 studies with 893 cases and 968 controls were finally included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled analyses did not demonstrate a significant association between the <i>COMT</i> Val158Met polymorphism and PTSD in any of the selected genetic models: allele model (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.97–1.31), dominant model (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.93–1.46), recessive model (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 0.78–2.66), and additive model (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 0.85–2.80). Subgroup analyses suggested that the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium status of genotype distributions could influence the relationship of <i>COMT</i> Val158Met polymorphism and PTSD. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The present meta-analysis suggested that the <i>COMT</i> Val158Met polymorphism may not be associated with the PTSD risk. Further large-scale and population-representative studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of the <i>COMT</i> Val158Met polymorphism on the risk of PTSD.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of Pathobiochemical Changes in Major Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 729-736
Author(s):  
Konstantin N. Stupin ◽  
Mikhail Y. Zenko ◽  
Elena A. Rybnikova
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
The Body ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Subcortical Structures ◽  
Significant Similarity ◽  
Neuroendocrine Mechanisms ◽  
Post Traumatic

Abstract Comparative analysis of available literature data on the pathogenetic neuroendocrine mechanisms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is provided in this review to identify their common features and differences. We discuss the multidirectional modifications of the activity of cortical and subcortical structures of the brain, levels of neurotransmitters and their receptors, and functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in depression and PTSD. The analysis shows that these disorders are examples of opposite failures in the system of adaptive stress response of the body to stressful psychotraumatic events. On this basis, it is concluded that the currently widespread use of similar approaches to treat these disorders is not justified, despite the significant similarity of their anxiety-depressive symptoms; development of differential therapeutic strategies is required.

scholarly journals Post-traumatic stress disorder and resilience among flood affected farmers of Kerala, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1842
Author(s):  
Manu Jose ◽  
Jessy Fenn
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Extreme Flooding ◽  
The Relationship

Background: In mid-August 2018, Kerala witnessed the worst floods since 1924 due to abnormally high rainfall and simultaneous release of water from its dams, resulting in extreme flooding in 13 of the 14 districts in the State. The large-scale flooding impacted millions of people and caused nearly 400 deaths as well as immense damage to property. This was followed by flooding yet again in August 2019, thereby triggering further damage. Farmers whose crops got completely wiped out were one group that were severely affected. This study investigated the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in farmers and also checked the relationship between PTSD and resilience. Methods: The sample consisted of 100 farmers from the Alappuzha and Pattanamtitta districts of Kerala which were severely affected by the flood. Data was collected through the PTSD-8, Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) along with sociodemographic data and flood related information.Results: 74% of the farmers scored high on the test indicating the presence of PTSD. The farmers of interior Pathanamthitta had significantly higher incidence (84%) of PTSD than coastal Alappuzha farmers (66%). The level of damage due to the flood did not have significant correlation with PTSD.  There was significant negative correlation between PTSD and resilience (r=-0.64).Conclusions: There was high incidence of PTSD among the farmers of central Kerala post the 2018 and 2019 floods and it was higher in interior Pathanamthitta than in coastal Alappuzha which is more used to the vagaries of the waters. Resilience helps to combat PTSD. 

scholarly journals Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger and mental health of school students in Syria after nine years of conflict: a large-scale school-based study

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S260-S261
Author(s):  
Sami Jomaa ◽  
Ameer Kakaje ◽  
Ragheed Al Zohbi ◽  
Ayham Alyousbashi ◽  
Rawan N K Abdelwahed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
School Students ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Problematic Anger

AimsThe Syrian crisis has entered its ninth year with many being affected by the war. This is the largest-scale study that aims to evaluate the psychological profile of secondary school students in Syria.MethodThis is a cross-sectional study in schools in Damascus, Syria. The surveys assessed working habits, smoking, war exposure, grades, socioeconomic status (SES), social support, health-related quality of life (HRQL), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), problematic anger, and other parameters.ResultThis study included 1369 students of which 53% suffered from PTSD and 62% from problematic anger. Around 46% declared a fair or worse general health and 61% had moderate or severe mental health. Only 9.3% did not report exposure to any war-related variable. War exposure had an impact on PTSD, anger, and HRQL, but not on students' grades. Smoking, having consanguineous parents, and working did not have a clear association with grades or anger. Social support weakly reduced PTSD and anger scores. Interestingly, working was associatedwith lower PTSD scores but was associated with a worse physical component of HRQL.ConclusionThis is the largest study on school students in Syria that reports the psychological ramifications of war. Although the direct effects of war could not be precisely described, the high burden of PTSD and anger distress was a strong reflection of the chronic mental distress.

Trauma in the Theater of the Body

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Biehl
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
The Body ◽  
Intellectual Life ◽  
Body Consciousness ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic

In this chapter, the author talks about his teaching of somatic yoga for relief of trauma, supporting this with current research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and including parts of his own story with PTSD. He has been practicing yoga since 1992 and expands his bodily pursuits through an active intellectual life. Here he offers an in-depth discussion based on research and his personal experience of the role of body consciousness in trauma and traumatic illnesses. He explores various ways to develop conscious embodiment in focused, restorative, and ultimately safe ways through engagement of the wisdom of the natural body and thereby to recover and potentially heal from traumatic stress and illness. In conclusion, he emphasizes that simple somatic methods anchored on breath and movement with mindfulness make it possible to heal traumatic illness and can provide immediate relief to experiences of both acute and chronic distress.

The Controversy over Pastoral Care of Parents after a Stillbirth

2007 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Susan Zengerle
Keyword(s):  
Pastoral Care ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
The Body ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing ◽  
Post Traumatic

Studies published in the last few years have suggested that the current practice in hospital obstetric units of encouraging parents to spend time with, hold, and even care for their stillborn fetus or baby may be deleterious to them. Rather than helping to allay grieving and successfully bring mourning to closure, mothers who had increasing levels of contact with the body of their stillborn baby were incrementally more likely to suffer depression and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in their next pregnancy and to have difficulty with attachment to their next child. These findings parallel observations from meta-analyses that question the efficacy of single-session debriefing (Critical Incident Stress Debriefing) after psychological trauma in preventing the later emergence of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Although not conclusive, these initial studies support the urgent need for further research to allow evidence-based pastoral care for those whose pregnancies end in stillbirth and loss. Given this much uncertainty about the risks posed by contact with her stillborn baby, mothers who do not chose to see their dead infants should not be persuaded to do so on the grounds of beneficence.

Salience and central executive networks track overgeneralization of conditioned-fear in post-traumatic stress disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Hannah Berg ◽  
Yizhou Ma ◽  
Amanda Rueter ◽  
Antonia Kaczkurkin ◽  
Philip C. Burton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Conditioned Fear ◽  
Neural Substrates ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Generalization Gradients ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

Abstract Background Generalization of conditioned-fear, a core feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been the focus of several recent neuroimaging studies. A striking outcome of these studies is the frequency with which neural correlates of generalization fall within hubs of well-established functional networks including salience (SN), central executive (CEN), and default networks (DN). Neural substrates of generalization found to date may thus reflect traces of large-scale brain networks that form more expansive neural representations of generalization. The present study includes the first network-based analysis of generalization and PTSD-related abnormalities therein. Methods fMRI responses in established intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) representing SN, CEN, and DN were assessed during a generalized conditioned-fear task in male combat veterans (N = 58) with wide-ranging PTSD symptom severity. The task included five rings of graded size. Extreme sizes served as conditioned danger-cues (CS+: paired with shock) and safety-cues (CS−), and the three intermediate sizes served as generalization stimuli (GSs) forming a continuum-of-size between CS+ and CS–. Generalization-gradients were assessed as behavioral and ICN response slopes from CS+, through GSs, to CS–. Increasing PTSD symptomatology was predicted to relate to less-steep slopes indicative of stronger generalization. Results SN, CEN, and DN responses fell along generalization-gradients with levels of generalization within and between SN and CEN scaling with PTSD symptom severity. Conclusions Neural substrates of generalized conditioned-fear include large-scale networks that adhere to the functional organization of the brain. Current findings implicate levels of generalization in SN and CEN as promising neural markers of PTSD.

scholarly journals The Threatful Self: Midbrain Functional Connectivity to Cortical Midline and Parietal Regions During Subliminal Trauma-Related Processing in PTSD

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 247054701987136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Braeden A. Terpou ◽  
Maria Densmore ◽  
Jean Théberge ◽  
Janine Thome ◽  
Paul Frewen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Default Mode Network ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Periaqueductal Gray ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Default Mode ◽  
Post Traumatic

Background The innate alarm system consists of a subcortical network of interconnected midbrain, lower brainstem, and thalamic nuclei, which together mediate the detection of evolutionarily-relevant stimuli. The periaqueductal gray is a midbrain structure innervated by the innate alarm system that coordinates the expression of defensive states following threat detection. In participants with post-traumatic stress disorder, the periaqueductal gray displays overactivation during the subliminal presentation of trauma-related stimuli as well as altered resting-state functional connectivity. Aberrant functional connectivity is also reported in post-traumatic stress disorder for the default-mode network, a large-scale brain network recruited during self-referential processing and autobiographical memory. Here, research lacks investigation on the extent to which functional interactions are displayed between the midbrain and the large-scale cortical networks in post-traumatic stress disorder. Methods Using a subliminal threat presentation paradigm, we investigated psycho-physiological interactions during functional neuroimaging in participants with post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 26) and healthy control subjects (n = 20). Functional connectivity of the periaqueductal gray was investigated across the whole-brain of each participant during subliminal exposure to trauma-related and neutral word stimuli. Results As compared to controls during subliminal threat presentation, the post-traumatic stress disorder group showed significantly greater periaqueductal gray functional connectivity with regions of the default-mode network (i.e., angular gyrus, precuneus, superior frontal gyrus). Moreover, multiple regression analyses revealed that the functional connectivity between the periaqueductal gray and the regions of the default-mode network correlated positively to symptoms of avoidance and state dissociation in post-traumatic stress disorder. Conclusion Given that the periaqueductal gray engages the expression of defensive states, stronger midbrain functional coupling with the default-mode network may have clinical implications to self-referential and trauma-related processing in participants with post-traumatic stress disorder.

scholarly journals Post-traumatic stress disorder following disasters: a systematic review

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Neria ◽  
A. Nandi ◽  
S. Galea
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
The Body ◽  
Chemical Contamination ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Post Disaster

BackgroundDisasters are traumatic events that may result in a wide range of mental and physical health consequences. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is probably the most commonly studied post-disaster psychiatric disorder. This review aimed to systematically assess the evidence about PTSD following exposure to disasters.MethodA systematic search was performed. Eligible studies for this review included reports based on the DSM criteria of PTSD symptoms. The time-frame for inclusion of reports in this review is from 1980 (when PTSD was first introduced in DSM-III) and February 2007 when the literature search for this examination was terminated.ResultsWe identified 284 reports of PTSD following disasters published in peer-reviewed journals since 1980. We categorized them according to the following classification: (1) human-made disasters (n=90), (2) technological disasters (n=65), and (3) natural disasters (n=116). Since some studies reported on findings from mixed samples (e.g. survivors of flooding and chemical contamination) we grouped these studies together (n=13).ConclusionsThe body of research conducted after disasters in the past three decades suggests that the burden of PTSD among persons exposed to disasters is substantial. Post-disaster PTSD is associated with a range of correlates including sociodemographic and background factors, event exposure characteristics, social support factors and personality traits. Relatively few studies have employed longitudinal assessments enabling documentation of the course of PTSD. Methodological limitations and future directions for research in this field are discussed.

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