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Putica A, Agathos J. Reconceptualizing complex posttraumatic stress disorder: A predictive processing framework for mechanisms and intervention. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 164:105836. [PMID: 39084584 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
In this article, we introduce a framework for interpreting Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) through predictive processing, a neuroscience concept explaining the brain's interpretation and prediction of sensory information. While closely related to PTSD, C-PTSD encompasses additional symptom clusters marked by disturbances in self-organization (DSO), such as negative self-concept, affect dysregulation, and relational difficulties, typically resulting from prolonged traumatic stressors. Our model leverages advances in computational psychiatry and neuroscience, offering a mechanistic explanation for these symptoms by illustrating how prolonged trauma disrupts the brain's predictive processing. Specifically, altered predictive mechanisms contribute to C-PTSD's symptomatology, focusing on DSO: (1) Negative self-concept emerges from maladaptive priors that bias perception towards self-criticism, misaligning expected and actual interoceptive states; (2) Misalignment between predicted and actual interoceptive signals leads to affect dysregulation, with sensitivity to bodily cues; and (3) Relationship challenges arise from skewed social prediction errors, fostering mistrust and withdrawal. This precision-focused approach sheds light on the dynamics underpinning C-PTSD and highlights potential intervention targets aimed at recalibrating the predictive processing system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Putica
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
| | - James Agathos
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Angulo F, Goger P, Brent DA, Rozenman M, Gonzalez A, Schwartz KTG, Porta G, Lynch FL, Dickerson JF, Weersing VR. Impact of trauma exposure and depression comorbidity on response to transdiagnostic behavioral therapy for pediatric anxiety and depression. NPJ MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 3:8. [PMID: 38609501 PMCID: PMC10955846 DOI: 10.1038/s44184-023-00049-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
By adolescence, two-thirds of youth report exposure to at least one traumatic event, yet the impact of trauma history is not routinely considered when evaluating the effect of psychotherapeutic interventions. Trauma may be a particularly important moderator of the effects of transdiagnostic therapies for emotional disorders, as trauma exposure is associated with risk for the development of comorbid depression and anxiety. The current study examined the history of trauma exposure and the presence of clinically significant depression as moderators of treatment outcomes in the Brief Behavioral Therapy (BBT) trial, the largest study of transdiagnostic psychotherapy for youth. Youths (age 8-16 years) were randomized to BBT (n = 89) based in pediatric primary care or assisted referral to outpatient community care (ARC; n = 86). Clinical response, functioning, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms were assessed at post-treatment (Week 16) and at follow-up (Week 32). A significant three-way interaction emerged between the treatment group, comorbid depression, and trauma exposure. BBT was broadly effective for 3/4 of the sample, but, for anxious-depressed youth with trauma exposure, BBT never significantly separated from ARC. Differences in outcome were not accounted for by other participant characteristics or by therapist-rated measures of alliance, youth engagement, or homework completion. Implications for models of learning and for intervention theory and development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Angulo
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Pauline Goger
- SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - David A Brent
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Araceli Gonzalez
- Department of Psychology, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Frances L Lynch
- Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - V Robin Weersing
- SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA.
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Rusmir M, Rohner SL, Maercker A, Salas Castillo AN, Thoma MV. Predictors and (in-)stability of ICD-11 complex posttraumatic stress disorder in older adults: findings from a longitudinal study in Switzerland. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2299618. [PMID: 38258813 PMCID: PMC10810634 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2299618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: There is a lack of research on complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) in older individuals, with little known about the temporal course of CPTSD. Therefore, this study assessed and compared the demographic characteristics, adverse childhood experiences (ACE), and well-being of Swiss older adults with and without probable CPTSD. The (in-)stability of probable CPTSD was also examined in relation to the predictive value of various emotion-related factors.Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in Switzerland with N = 213 participants (Mage = 69.98 years, SD = 10.61; 45.5% female). Data was collected via face-to-face assessments at baseline and follow-up, 21 months apart. The German version of the International Trauma Questionnaire was used to screen for (C)PTSD. Standardized instruments were used to assess ACE as well as the predictors anger, embitterment, emotion regulation, and meaning in life.Results: From the total sample, n = 16 participants (7.5%) were identified as having probable CPTSD, with only five of these (31.25%) having probable CPTSD at both baseline and follow-up. Individuals with and without probable CPTSD differed significantly regarding age and employment status. Significant predictors of probable CPTSD were anger (β = 0.16), embitterment (β = 0.06), cognitive reappraisal (β = -0.41), and the presence of meaning in life (β = -0.10).Conclusions: Probable CPTSD appears to be relatively unstable over the course of a 21-month period in older individuals. The links between CPTSD and emotion-related predictors highlight potential targets for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Rusmir
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shauna L. Rohner
- Competence Centre for Mental Health, Department of Health, OST – University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program ‘Dynamics of Healthy Aging’, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Maercker
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program ‘Dynamics of Healthy Aging’, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aileen N. Salas Castillo
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Myriam V. Thoma
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program ‘Dynamics of Healthy Aging’, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Pfluger V, Rohner SL, Eising CM, Maercker A, Thoma MV. Internalizing Mental Health Disorders and Emotion Regulation: A Comparative and Mediational Study of Older Adults With and Without a History of Complex Trauma Exposure. Front Psychol 2022; 13:820345. [PMID: 35814079 PMCID: PMC9260226 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.820345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with complex trauma exposure (CTE) in early life (i.e., childhood/adolescence) are at heightened risk for developing problems in various domains of functioning. As such, CTE has repeatedly been linked to internalizing mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, as well as emotion dysregulation across the lifespan. While these correlates of CTE are comparatively well studied up to middle adulthood, they are insufficiently studied in older adulthood. Therefore, this study aimed to (a) compare Swiss older adults with and without a CTE history regarding current and lifetime internalizing mental health disorders and emotion regulation strategies; and (b) to examine the potential mediating role of emotion regulation in the mental health disparities between these groups. A total of N = 257 participants (age = 49-95 years; 46.3% female) were assessed in a retrospective, cross-sectional study, using two face-to-face interviews. The CTE group (n = 161; M age = 69.66 years, 48.4% female) presented with significantly more current and lifetime internalizing mental health disorders than the non-affected (nCTE) group (n = 96; M age = 72.49 years, 42.7% female). The CTE group showed significantly higher emotion suppression and lower emotion reappraisal compared to the nCTE group. Mediation analysis revealed that the two emotion regulation strategies were significant mediators between CTE history and internalizing mental health disorders. Findings emphasize the relevance of emotion (dys-)regulation in understanding mental health disparities in older age and deciding about treatment strategies. Research and practice should pay more attention to the needs of this high-risk group of older individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Pfluger
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program Dynamics of Healthy Ageing, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shauna L. Rohner
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program Dynamics of Healthy Ageing, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carla M. Eising
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program Dynamics of Healthy Ageing, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Maercker
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program Dynamics of Healthy Ageing, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Myriam V. Thoma
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program Dynamics of Healthy Ageing, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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