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Gasnier M, Aouizerat A, Chappell K, Baubet T, Corruble E. Psychotic and Somatic Symptoms Are Frequent in Refugees With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Narrative Review. J Psychiatr Pract 2024; 30:104-118. [PMID: 38526398 DOI: 10.1097/pra.0000000000000772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In 2021, 89.3 million refugees were vulnerable to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after exposure to multiple and repeated traumatic experiences. The recent war in Ukraine provoked 7 million refugees to flee their homes. Specific clinical presentations of PTSD in refugee populations may not be familiar to most physicians. The goal of this review is to describe the diagnosis and specific clinical features of PTSD in refugees. METHODS This narrative review of 263 articles explores 3 PTSD diagnoses that are frequently described in refugee populations and that have been observed in our clinical practices: complex PTSD, PTSD with psychotic symptoms, and PTSD with somatic symptoms. RESULTS While complex PTSD does not seem to be related to individuals' culture and origin, the other 2 diagnoses have been specifically described in refugee populations. PTSD with somatic manifestations appears to be the most frequently described and commonly acknowledged form in refugee populations, whereas PTSD with psychotic symptoms remains more controversial due to its clinical variability and association with comorbid disorders. CONCLUSIONS The difficulty of identifying PTSD with psychotic symptoms and PTSD with somatic symptoms in refugee populations may lead to misdiagnosis and explain the moderate effectiveness of care delivered to these populations. Appropriate diagnosis is essential to provide optimal psychiatric care to refugee populations.
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Psychiatric Co-Morbidities in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Detailed Findings from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey in the English Population. Psychiatr Q 2021; 92:321-330. [PMID: 32705407 PMCID: PMC7904722 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-020-09797-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition which causes great sufferance to the individuals affected. The occurrence of comorbidities in PTSD is a frequent event with a negative impact on outcome. This study investigated the frequency of PTSD in relation to comorbidities by analyzing the results of the 2007 'Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey' in the English population, which included data on comorbidities. A population study conducted in the United Kingdom, this survey investigated the frequency of PTSD in the community and the relationship to comorbidities by adopting a random design to minimize selection bias, stratified by region and socioeconomic characteristics, and weighted according to design and non-response. The survey interviewed 7403 adults living in private households. Socio-demographic characteristics and psychiatric morbidity were systematically assessed. Results indicated that PTSD prevalence was 2.9%, with an excess in women (3.3%) compared to men (2.4%) as reported by the 2007 survey. Comorbidity was a very frequent occurrence in PTSD reaching 78.5% in affected cases. Major depression was the commonest condition and its frequency increased with symptoms severity up to 54%. Among anxiety disorders, social phobia was the most frequent, followed by generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, agoraphobia and panic disorder. Substance use disorders were also common. The presence of psychotic symptoms was particularly significant with over 30% prevalence in PTSD. These results indicate that attention needs to be devoted to the presence of comorbidities. In view of the impact of comorbidities on PTSD severity, chronicity and functional impairment, early detection and treatment are likely to improve outcome.
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Reznik AM, Syunyakov TS, Shcherbakov DV, Martynyuk YL. [Psychotic disorders in the veterans of local wars]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2020; 120:31-36. [PMID: 32729688 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro202012006231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of the key psychopathological syndromes, the dynamics and comorbidity of schizophrenia and other psychoses in Russian veterans of local wars receiving hospital treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 685 patients of a psychiatric department of a military hospital, including 264 veterans of the local wars (the main group), 296 people (career military servicemen and retirees), who do not take part in combat actions (the first comparison group) and 125 people matched for the middle age and the age distribution curve with the main group (the second comparison group). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The frequency of psychoses appeared to be slightly less in veterans (7.2%) compared to patients of comparison groups (14.5% and 8.8%, respectively). In all groups, most patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia (ICD-10 F20): 3.8% in the main group, 4.4% in the first comparison group and 4.0% in the second comparison group. Other acute and chronic psychotic disorders (F22-F23) were diagnosed in 0.8, 5.4 and 3.2% patients, respectively. Organic delusion disorders were diagnosed in 1.5% patients of the main group, 3.7% patients of the first comparison group and were not detected in the second comparison group. Comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis was about 2% in the main group in whole and 26.3% in those with schizophrenia and other delusional disorders. The degree of incidence of symptoms of PTSD in veterans diagnosed with psychosis was significantly less than their frequency among all veterans (20% and 46.9%, respectively). Military stress factors do not influence the development of hallucinations and delusions in the main group. In the majority of veterans, psychotic symptoms manifested for the first time after stopping combat stress, the subsequent development and recurrence of psychotic symptoms happened regardless of the influence of combat stress factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Reznik
- Moscow State University of Food Production, Moscow, Russia
| | - T S Syunyakov
- Alekseev Psychiatric Clinical Hospital No. 1, Moscow, Russia.,Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology, Moscow, Russia
| | - D V Shcherbakov
- Gannushkin Psychiatric Clinical Hospital No. 4, Moscow, Russia
| | - Y L Martynyuk
- Gannushkin Psychiatric Clinical Hospital No. 4, Moscow, Russia
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Rathke H, Poulsen S, Carlsson J, Palic S. PTSD with secondary psychotic features among trauma-affected refugees: The role of torture and depression. Psychiatry Res 2020; 287:112898. [PMID: 32179211 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of PTSD with secondary psychotic symptoms (PTSD-SP), its comorbidities, and its association with torture and depression in treatment-seeking refugees. Data were pooled from the Danish Database on Refugees with Trauma (DART). The sample represents approximately 90% of trauma-affected refugee-patients (N = 627) attending a Danish psychiatric outpatient clinic from 2008 to 2013. PTSD, secondary psychotic symptoms, and comorbidities were assessed with structured and routine clinical interviews. The association of PTSD-SP with torture and depression was investigated using hierarchical logistic regression. The prevalence of PTSD-SP in treatment-seeking refugees with PTSD was 30%. Among these, 44% fulfilled the criteria for Enduring Personality Change After Catastrophic Experience (EPCACE). Psychotic symptoms comprised hallucinations and persecutory delusions, often reflecting trauma-related themes. Comorbidity with depression was high (79%). Neither torture, nor other war-trauma (ex-combatant, imprisonment, civilian war trauma) predicted PTSD-SP, but comorbid depression did. Depression only explained a small amount of the total PTSD-SP variance. Results indicate that PTSD-SP is common in treatment-seeking refugees. However, its etiology is poorly understood. This highlights the need for further research to improve diagnosis and treatment for this patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Rathke
- Competence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region, Maglevænget 21, Ballerup 2750, Denmark.
| | - Stig Poulsen
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, Copenhagen K 1353, Denmark
| | - Jessica Carlsson
- Competence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region, Maglevænget 21, Ballerup 2750, Denmark
| | - Sabina Palic
- Competence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region, Maglevænget 21, Ballerup 2750, Denmark
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Compean E, Hamner M. Posttraumatic stress disorder with secondary psychotic features (PTSD-SP): Diagnostic and treatment challenges. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 88:265-275. [PMID: 30092241 PMCID: PMC6459196 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Trauma exposure leads to various psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and trauma related disorders, especially posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are some overlapping symptoms of both PTSD and psychosis that make diagnosis challenging. Despite this overlap, the evidence of PTSD with comorbid psychosis as a distinct entity lies in the research showing biologic, genetic and treatment management differences between psychotic PTSD, non-psychotic PTSD, psychotic disorders and healthy controls. There is emerging evidence that PTSD with secondary psychotic features (PTSD-SP) might be a discrete entity of PTSD with known risk factors that increase its prevalence. This review has presented evidence for individuals with PTSD-SP being distinct in genetics and neurobiological factors. Individuals with PTSD and comorbid psychosis can benefit from evidence based psychotherapy (EBT). There is not enough evidence to recommend second generation antipsychotics (SGA) for PTSD-SP given that risperidone and quetiapine are the only SGAs studied in randomized controlled trials. Hence, developing an operational diagnostic criteria and treatment framework for clinical and research use is critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebele Compean
- Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) 169 Ashley Ave, RM 202 MUH MSC 333 Charleston SC 29425,Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Department of Veterans Affairs 109 Bee Street Charleston, SC 29401-5799
| | - Mark Hamner
- Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), 169 Ashley Ave, RM 202 MUH MSC 333, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, 109 Bee Street Charleston, SC 29401-5799, United States.
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Fried EI, Eidhof MB, Palic S, Costantini G, Huisman-van Dijk HM, Bockting CLH, Engelhard I, Armour C, Nielsen ABS, Karstoft KI. Replicability and Generalizability of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Networks: A Cross-Cultural Multisite Study of PTSD Symptoms in Four Trauma Patient Samples. Clin Psychol Sci 2018; 6:335-351. [PMID: 29881651 PMCID: PMC5974702 DOI: 10.1177/2167702617745092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The growing literature conceptualizing mental disorders like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as networks of interacting symptoms faces three key challenges. Prior studies predominantly used (a) small samples with low power for precise estimation, (b) nonclinical samples, and (c) single samples. This renders network structures in clinical data, and the extent to which networks replicate across data sets, unknown. To overcome these limitations, the present cross-cultural multisite study estimated regularized partial correlation networks of 16 PTSD symptoms across four data sets of traumatized patients receiving treatment for PTSD (total N = 2,782). Despite differences in culture, trauma type, and severity of the samples, considerable similarities emerged, with moderate to high correlations between symptom profiles (0.43-0.82), network structures (0.62-0.74), and centrality estimates (0.63-0.75). We discuss the importance of future replicability efforts to improve clinical psychological science and provide code, model output, and correlation matrices to make the results of this article fully reproducible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiko I. Fried
- Department of Psychology, University of
Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Sabina Palic
- Competence Center for Transcultural
Psychiatry, Mental Health Center Ballerup, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Claudi L. H. Bockting
- Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group
Diemen/Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Psychology,
Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Iris Engelhard
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Centre,
Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Psychology,
Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Cherie Armour
- Psychology Research Institute, Ulster
University, Coleraine Campus, Northern Ireland
| | - Anni B. S. Nielsen
- Research and Knowledge Center, The
Danish Veteran Center, Ringsted, Denmark
- The Research Unit and Section of General
Practice, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Nygaard M, Sonne C, Carlsson J. Secondary psychotic features in refugees diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Psychiatry 2017; 17:5. [PMID: 28056884 PMCID: PMC5217253 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-016-1166-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A substantial amount of refugees (10-30%) suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In Denmark there are different facilities specialised in psychiatric treatment of trauma-affected refugees. A previously published case report from such a facility in Denmark shows that some patients suffer from secondary psychotic symptoms alongside their PTSD. The aim of this study was to illustrate the characteristics and estimate the prevalence of psychotic features in a clinical population of trauma-affected refugees with PTSD. METHODS Psychiatric records from 220 consecutive patients at Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry (CTP) were examined, and all the PTSD patients were divided into two groups; one group with secondary psychotic features (PTSD-SP group) and one without (PTSD group). A categorisation and description of the secondary psychotic features was undertaken. RESULTS One hundred eighty-one patients were diagnosed with PTSD among which psychotic symptoms were identified in 74 (40.9, 95% CI 33.7-48.1%). The majority of symptoms identified were auditory hallucinations (66.2%) and persecutory delusions (50.0%). There were significantly more patients diagnosed with enduring personality change after catastrophic experience in the PTSD-SP group than in the PTSD group (P = 0.009). Furthermore the PTSD-SP group included significantly more patients exposed to torture (P = 0.001) and imprisonment (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION This study provides an estimation of PTSD-SP prevalence in a clinical refugee population with PTSD. The study points to the difficulties distinguishing psychotic features from flashbacks and the authors call for attention to psychotic features in PTSD patients in order to improve documentation and understanding of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Nygaard
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Maglevænget 2, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Sonne
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Maglevænget 2, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Jessica Carlsson
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Maglevænget 2, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark
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Harpaz-Rotem I, Rosenheck R, Mohamed S, Pietrzak R, Hoff R. Initiation of pharmacotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan: a dimensional, symptom cluster approach. BJPsych Open 2016; 2:286-293. [PMID: 27703791 PMCID: PMC5016711 DOI: 10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.002451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pharmacological treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is extremely challenging, as no specific agent has been developed exclusively to treat this disorder. Thus, there are growing concerns among the public, providers and consumers associated with its use as the efficacy of some agents is still in question. AIMS We applied a dimensional and symptom cluster-based approach to better understand how the heterogeneous phenotypic presentation of PTSD may relate to the initiation of pharmacotherapy for PTSD initial episode. METHOD US veterans who served in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and received an initial PTSD diagnosis at the US Veterans Health Administration between 2008 and 2011 were included in this study. Veterans were followed for 365 days from initial PTSD diagnosis to identify initiation for antidepressants, anxiolytics/sedatives/hypnotics, antipsychotics and prazosin. Multivariable analyses were used to assess the relationship between the severity of unique PTSD symptom clusters and receiving prescriptions from each medication class, as well as the time from diagnosis to first prescription. RESULTS Increased severity of emotional numbing symptoms was independently associated with the prescription of antidepressants, and they were prescribed after a substantially shorter period of time than other medications. Anxiolytics/sedatives/hypnotics prescription was associated with heightened re-experiencing symptoms and sleep difficulties. Antipsychotics were associated with elevated re-experiencing and numbing symptoms and prazosin with reported nightmares. CONCLUSIONS Prescribing practices for military-related PTSD appear to follow US VA/DoD clinical guidelines. Results of this study suggest that a novel dimensional and symptom cluster-based approach to classifying the phenotypic presentation of military-related PTSD symptoms may help inform prescribing patterns for PTSD. DECLARATION OF INTEREST None. COPYRIGHT AND USAGE © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilan Harpaz-Rotem
- , PhD, VACHS, The National Center for PTSD, Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT; VACHS, The Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC), Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robert Rosenheck
- , MD, VACHS, VISN1 Mental Illness Research and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Somaia Mohamed
- , MD PhD, VACHS, The Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC), Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robert Pietrzak
- , MPH PhD, VACHS, The National Center for PTSD, Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rani Hoff
- , MPH PhD, VACHS, The National Center for PTSD, Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT; VACHS, The Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC), Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Powers A, Fani N, Cross D, Ressler KJ, Bradley B. Childhood trauma, PTSD, and psychosis: Findings from a highly traumatized, minority sample. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2016; 58:111-8. [PMID: 27371800 PMCID: PMC5054510 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Trauma, especially early life trauma, is a risk factor for the development of both posttraumatic stress disorder and psychosis. The goal of the present study was to determine specific associations between exposure to childhood abuse, PTSD symptoms, and current psychotic disorder. Subjects were recruited from a public, urban hospital (N=328, >90% African American). Psychotic disorders were measured using the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview, PTSD was measured using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, child abuse was measured with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and lifetime trauma exposure was measured with the Traumatic Events Inventory. Logistic regression analyses showed that both child abuse and current PTSD were statistically significant predictors of psychotic disorder beyond the effects of lifetime trauma load. When PTSD symptom clusters were examined, avoidance and numbing symptoms showed unique association with psychotic disorder independent of demographic variables and trauma exposure. Using bootstrapping techniques, we found a full indirect effect of PTSD on the association between child abuse and, suggesting a particularly important role of PTSD symptoms in relation to psychotic disorder in the presence of early life trauma. Because this is a cross-sectional study, continued research is needed to determine causality of such models. Identifying co-occurring psychosis and PTSD, particularly in populations with high levels of trauma exposure, is critical and will likely aid in more successful treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, United States.
| | - Negar Fani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Dorthie Cross
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, United States; Division of Depression and Anxiety, Harvard University, United States
| | - Bekh Bradley
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, United States
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Co-occurrence of psychotic symptoms with symptoms typically thought of as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is well known, and there has been considerable debate whether this represents a psychotic subtype or a comorbid psychotic disorder. RECENT FINDINGS Psychotic symptoms typical of schizophrenia occur with a higher than expected frequency in PTSD. A large genome-wide association study (GWAS) has identified a collection of genes associated with PTSD, and these genes overlap with those identified as increasing the risk of developing schizophrenia. SUMMARY Up to 70% of returning veterans experience symptoms of PTSD. These individuals also fall within the peak age range for the onset of schizophrenia. PTSD with psychosis may occur for several reasons: trauma increases one's risk for schizophrenia and PTSD; patients with schizophrenia have a higher incidence of PTSD and may present with characteristic psychotic symptoms overlapping with psychosis in schizophrenia. Secondary to symptom overlap, there may be substantial misdiagnosis of psychotic disorders as PTSD, or nonidentification of a comorbid psychotic disorder. This overlap calls into question traditional diagnostic boundaries with implications for initial and long-term treatment of PTSD and psychosis. This review will discuss the recent literature relating to the association of PTSD with schizophrenia.
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Abstract
Serotonin (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine (SNRI) reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the first-line recommended drug treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); but despite their benefits, much residual pathology remains and no new drugs have yet emerged with a clearly demonstrated benefit for treating the disorder. A case is made that tricyclic drugs deserve a closer look, based on their ability to affect several of the main neurotransmitters that are relevant to PTSD. Their promising efficacy, which was shown 30 years ago, had not been followed up, until a recent trial of desipramine found advantages over a SSRI in PTSD with comorbid alcohol dependence. Opportunities exist for studying newer and purportedly safer tricyclic formulations, as well as further the work with older, established compounds. A reappraisal of their risk:benefit ratio seems in order, when treating PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Davidson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Holt L, Tickle A. Exploring the experience of hearing voices from a first person perspective: a meta-ethnographic synthesis. Psychol Psychother 2014; 87:278-97. [PMID: 24227763 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2011] [Revised: 08/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this review was to identify, appraise, and synthesize the current peer-reviewed qualitative literature which explores the phenomenon of hearing voices from a first person perspective. METHODS A comprehensive systematic search of the literature was conducted. Seven studies utilizing various qualitative methodologies met the criteria to be included in the synthesis. An appraisal tool (Walsh & Downe, 2005, J. Adv. Nurs., 50, 204-211) was used to assess their quality. A meta-ethnographic approach was used to synthesize the data extracted from them. RESULTS The interpretation of the findings suggested five key themes: identity of the voice(s), power of the voice(s), impact of hearing voices on relationships, relationship with the voice(s), and the distinction between thoughts and voices. The identity of the voices seemed inextricably linked to the perceived power the voice(s) wielded over the voice hearer. The quality of the studies included in the synthesis varied greatly. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this synthesis highlight the importance of the voice hearer's individual frame of reference for understanding their experience. Clinical implications include the need for mental health professionals to explore an individual's understanding of their experience of hearing voices and address the perceived power of the voice(s). Further research is indicated in this area with a focus of improving the quality of qualitative research studying this phenomenon. PRACTITIONER POINTS There are multiple frames of reference in which to understand an individual's experience of hearing voices. Mental health professionals should attend to the meaning and understanding voice hearers give to the experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Holt
- University of Nottingham and Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, Nottingham, UK
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13
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Abstract
Symptom-based self-rating measures were established to detect individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after specific traumatic events. The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic efficiency of the German version of the Trauma Screening Questionnaire (TSQ), the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS), and an 8-item subset of the PDS. Receiver-operating-characteristic analyses are determined in a treatment-seeking outpatient sample (N = 208) with mixed trauma type. The areas under the curve (AUC) for all measures were found to be moderate (AUC = 0.77–0.81); hence, measures did not differ in terms of their discriminatory abilities. Using the favored cutoff points, sensitivity (53–81%) and specificity (71–84%) values were at a level that was only moderate. Considering the high economic burden due to PTSD and the moderate specificity values, a two-stage screening approach might result in only moderate cost-efficiency for treatment-seeking outpatients. In addition, our results support the notion that discriminatory abilities and operating characteristics based on samples with a specific trauma type have to be cross-validated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sören Kliem
- Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany
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14
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Soosay I, Silove D, Bateman-Steel C, Steel Z, Bebbington P, Jones PB, Chey T, Ivancic L, Marnane C. Trauma exposure, PTSD and psychotic-like symptoms in post-conflict Timor Leste: an epidemiological survey. BMC Psychiatry 2012; 12:229. [PMID: 23249370 PMCID: PMC3554511 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-12-229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies in developed countries indicate that psychotic-like symptoms are prevalent in the community and are related to trauma exposure and PTSD. No comparable studies have been undertaken in low-income, post-conflict countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of psychotic-like symptoms in conflict-affected Timor Leste and to examine whether symptoms were associated with trauma and PTSD. METHODS The Psychosis Screening Questionnaire and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (assessing trauma exposure and PTSD) were administered in an epidemiological survey of 1245 adults (response rate 80.6%) in a rural and an urban setting in Timor Leste. We defined PSQ screen-positive cases as those people reporting at least one psychotic-like symptom (paranoia, hallucinations, strange experiences, thought interference, hypomania). RESULTS The prevalence of PSQ screen-positive cases was 12 percent and these persons were more disabled. PSQ cases were more likely to reside in the urban area, experienced higher levels of trauma exposure and a greater prevalence of PTSD. PTSD only partially mediated the relationship between trauma exposure and psychotic-like symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Psychotic-like symptoms may be prevalent in countries exposed to mass conflict. The cultural and contextual meaning of psychotic-like symptoms requires further inquiry in low-income, post-conflict settings such as Timor Leste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Soosay
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Derrick Silove
- Psychiatry Research & Teaching Unit, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Cnr Forbes & Campbell Streets, Liverpool, Australia
| | - Catherine Bateman-Steel
- Psychiatry Research & Teaching Unit, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Cnr Forbes & Campbell Streets, Liverpool, Australia
| | - Zachary Steel
- Psychiatry Research & Teaching Unit, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Cnr Forbes & Campbell Streets, Liverpool, Australia
| | - Paul Bebbington
- UCL, Mental Health Sciences Unit, Riding House Street, London, UK
| | - Peter B Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tien Chey
- Psychiatry Research & Teaching Unit, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Cnr Forbes & Campbell Streets, Liverpool, Australia
| | - Lorraine Ivancic
- Psychiatry Research & Teaching Unit, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Cnr Forbes & Campbell Streets, Liverpool, Australia
| | - Claire Marnane
- Psychiatry Research & Teaching Unit, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Cnr Forbes & Campbell Streets, Liverpool, Australia
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15
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Brietzke E, Zugman A, Asevedo E, Mansur R, da Cunham GR. Continuing lack of evidence for the psychotic subtyping of PTSD. Br J Psychiatry 2011; 198:156; author reply 156. [PMID: 21282788 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.198.2.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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