scholarly journals The Economic Burden of PTSD. A brief review of salient literature

2019 ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
Iain W. McGowan

The Economic Burden of PTSD. A brief review of salient literature Studies examine the economic burden of disease can be used to help policy makers set priorities for healthcare research and service provision [1]. These study types seek to quantify the economic impact of disease regardless of its origin or presentation. As such, policy makers are afforded the information allowing them to make decisions across and within therapeutic fields. Health economics deals with the scarcity of resources. Having accurate information about the economic cost of an illness helps policy makers prioritize, eventually leading to the allocation of healthcare resources [2]. Classified as an anxiety disorder, Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can have a significant negative impact on a person’s life [3]. The symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, intrusive thoughts and nightmares, rumination and avoidance of areas or circumstances (WHO 2017). Figure 1 shows the ICD-10 (WHO 1992) diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Psychological trauma is associated with a number of mental health issues including schizophrenia [4], eating disorders [5] and addictions [6]. In recent years a link between PTSD and physical illnesses such as Type II diabetes [7], cardio-vascular disease [8], certain cancers [9] and fibromyalgia [10] has been noted in the literature. General population studies estimated a prevalence rate of PTSD of 3.6% (WHO 2013). The lifetime prevalence of PTSD in Vietnam War veterans was 16.9% [11] and a study of Canadian service veterans of the Iran war showed a prevalence of 12.9% [12]. UK service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan report PTSD in 4% of cases [13]. In counties that have experienced civil conflict, the rates of PTSD are reported as 8.8% [14]. Given the wide-ranging impact then of PTSD, it is appropriate to examine the economic impact that PTSD has.

Author(s):  
József Szabó ◽  
Szilvia Tóth

Abstract Introduction We would like to present the case of a young patient with acute stress disorder and recurrent nightmares following the psychological trauma caused by a severe road traffic accident. The comprehensive therapy carried out at the Department of Traumatology included medication, trauma processing and a psychological method whose aim is to cease the development of nightmares. Case Presentation Psychiatric assessment and treatment was asked for a polytraumatised female patient at the Intensive Care Unit after she had undergone a neurosurgical intervention. Her medicinal treatment was continued at the Department of Traumatology. Besides the antidepressant venlafaxine she was treated in accordance with the EMDR protocol for acute stress disorder, and we also applied imagery rescripting to prevent her from having recurrent (daily) nightmares. As a result of the therapy, her symptoms were fast relieved, the nightmares stopped almost instantly, her mood improved, rumination and anxiety decreased significantly. Conclusions In view of the fast and significant symptomatic improvement, we can expect that the EMDR therapy and its protocol for acute stress disorder have successfully reactivated information processing, and besides the subjective relief we have managed to prevent a mental crisis that could lead to a suicide risk as well as the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. We also hope that the improvement will be long-lasting.


Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Ourania Tzoraki ◽  
Svetlana Dimitrova ◽  
Marin Barzakov ◽  
Saad Yaseen ◽  
Vasilis Gavalas ◽  
...  

The ongoing ‘refugee crisis’ of the past years has led to the migration of refugee researchers (RRs) to European countries. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RRs often had to work from home and/or to continue their social, cultural and economic integration process under new conditions. An online survey carried out to explore the impact of the pandemic on the refugee researchers showed that RRs found it difficult to adapt their everyday working life to the ‘home’ setting. The majority have had neither a suitable work environment at home nor the appropriate technology. Although they stated that they are rather pleased with the measures taken by the public authorities, they expressed concern about their vulnerability due to their precarious contracts and the bureaucratic asylum procedures, as the pandemic has had a negative impact on these major issues. The majority of RRs working in academia seem not to have been affected at all as far as their income is concerned, while the majority of those employed in other sectors became unemployed during the pandemic (58%). Recommendations are provided to the public authorities and policy makers to assist RRs to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic on their life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. e235384
Author(s):  
Iris McIntosh ◽  
Giles W Story

Early theories of schizophrenia considered the illness as a fragmentation of mental content in response to psychological trauma. Here we present a case of very late onset schizophrenia in a previously high-functioning man in his mid-60s, precipitated by having lost his family in a terrorist attack, while he was living in Africa. He presented with symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder, however also exhibited visual and auditory hallucinations and marked deterioration in daily functioning. He showed mild impairment on cognitive testing, however brain imaging and screening for reversible causes of cognitive impairment were normal. The case highlights the need for a formulation-based approach to understanding and managing responses to severe trauma, from resolution through to psychotic disintegration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 335-344
Author(s):  
Muhammad Waqas Khalid ◽  
Ashar Sultan Kayani ◽  
Jamal Mohammed Alotaibi ◽  
Muhammad Muddassir ◽  
Bader Alhafi Alotaibi ◽  
...  

Higher consumption and increased import requirements for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region can be catered through neighboring trade partners if resources are optimally utilized. The purpose of this research is to analyze the connection between regional trade of SAARC countries and the food security challenges faced by the region. The study uses data from 1990–2018 for Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh to econometrically analyze the determinants of the volume of food trade. The results show that the gross domestic product of importing or exporting countries and foreign direct investment (FDI) have positive impact on regional trade. The bilateral exchange rate between trading partners has a negative impact on the trade volume. The results also showed the absence of a long-run relationship between volume of trade and food security using Johansen’s cointegration test. Our analysis suggests that policy makers should focus on the means for creating favorable environment in Pakistan and India to not only meet the increasing global demands for food but also increasing their competitiveness for high-quality and low-quality priced products in major exports markets.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. S183-S184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhu Kumar Marasini ◽  
Ssansa Mugenyi

The multisectoral approach has evolved as a popular instrument to attain nutrition goals and targets. But as policy makers, we need timely, relevant, and accurate information in order to effectively support these plans. This commentary comes from the members of the nutrition secretariats at the National Planning Commission in Nepal and the Office of the Prime Minister in Uganda on availability and use of evidence and the nutrition policy cycle. As has been highlighted in this supplement, some of the challenges we have faced include tracking nutrition spending and limited human resource capacity. It will be important for countries, including our own, to take steps to ensure that all sectors with responsibility for nutrition issues adequately prioritize nutrition—as evidenced by budgets and targets—and coordinate efforts for the most efficient use of funds. Countries will also need to consider the importance of transparency and accountability at all levels, as well as planning and reporting systems to ensure better cooperation and stronger partnerships. Going forward, we call on all those working in the field of nutrition to focus on developing evidence that is useful for decision-making and that can facilitate monitoring of practical measures of governance and financing by national- and district-level stakeholders.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135481662110290
Author(s):  
Bala Ramasamy ◽  
Howei Wu ◽  
Matthew Yeung

Hosting sports events to attract international tourists is a common policy practised by many host governments. Hosting mega-sports events like the Olympics is said to leave a legacy that could impact the attractiveness of a country/city in the long term. However, the opportunity to host these mega-events is limited and expensive. This study considers the economic impact of hosting annual international sporting events, specifically the extent to which Formula 1, ATP Tennis and PGA Golf can attract international tourists. Using monthly data from 1998 to 2018, we show that the effect differs from one sport to another within a country and the same sport across countries. Hosting the Formula 1 is most effective for Canada but has no significant impact in Australia and the United Kingdom. ATP Tennis and PGA Golf have a significant impact on at least two countries. Policy-makers must consider carefully the sport that gives the best bang-for-the-buck.


Author(s):  
Tiffany A. Beks ◽  
Sharon L. Cairns ◽  
Anusha Kassan ◽  
Kelly D. Schwartz

This article considers three perspectives that have figured prominently in the conceptualization of psychological trauma related to military service in the Canadian context—that of military institutions, that of military members, and that of counselling psychologists. A closer examination of these views reveals points of contention regarding the origins, terminology, and cultural relevance of conceptualizations of service-related trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder By drawing from theoretical, empirical, critical, and anecdotal literature, this article highlights the need for counselling psychologists to continually evolve their understanding of the broader contexts in which service-related trauma occurs and to honour military members’ knowledge of diverse sources of traumatic suffering.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana V. Tatarinova ◽  
Trina Deiss ◽  
Lorri Franckle ◽  
Susan Beaven ◽  
Jeffrey Davis

The neurotransmitter levels of representatives from five different diagnosis groups were tested before and after participation in the MNRI®—Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Intervention. The purpose of this study was to ascertain neurological impact on (1) Developmental disorders, (2) Anxiety disorders/OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress disorder), (3) Palsy/Seizure disorders, (4) ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder Hyperactive Disorder), and (5) ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) disorders. Each participant had a form of neurological dysregulation and typical symptoms respective to their diagnosis. These diagnoses have a severe negative impact on the quality of life, immunity, stress coping, cognitive skills, and social assimilation. This study showed a trend towards optimization and normalization of neurological and immunological functioning, thus supporting the claim that the MNRI method is an effective non-pharmacological neuromodulation treatment of neurological disorders. The effects of MNRI on inflammation have not yet been assessed. The resulting post-MNRI changes in participants’ neurotransmitters show significant adjustments in the regulation of the neurotransmitter resulting in being calmer, a decrease of hypervigilance, an increase in stress resilience, behavioral and emotional regulation improvements, a more positive emotional state, and greater control of cognitive processes. In this paper, we demonstrate that the MNRI approach is an intervention that reduces inflammation. It is also likely to reduce oxidative stress and encourage homeostasis of excitatory neurotransmitters. MNRI may facilitate neurodevelopment, build stress resiliency, neuroplasticity, and optimal learning opportunity. There have been no reported side effects of MNRI treatments.


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