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Carpenter JK, Pineles SL, Griffin MG, Pandey S, Werner K, Kecala NM, Resick PA, Galovski TE. Heart rate reactivity during trauma recall as a predictor of treatment outcome in cognitive processing therapy for PTSD. Behav Res Ther 2024; 176:104519. [PMID: 38503205 PMCID: PMC10999335 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2024.104519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Emotional engagement when recollecting a trauma memory is considered a key element of effective trauma-focused therapy. Research has shown that reduced physiological reactivity during trauma recall is associated with worse treatment outcomes for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but this has yet to be examined in a cognitively oriented treatment. This study examined whether pretreatment heart rate (HR) reactivity during trauma recall predicts PTSD symptom improvement and treatment dropout during Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD. Participants were 142 women with PTSD secondary to interpersonal violence enrolled in one of two clinicals trials. HR reactivity reflected the mean increase in HR after listening to two 30-s scripts of the trauma memory prior to treatment. Linear mixed-effects models showed the effect of HR reactivity on change in total PTSD symptoms was not significant, but lower HR reactivity predicted less improvement in reexperiencing and avoidance and was associated with increased dropout. Findings suggest pretreatment physiological reactivity to the trauma memory may be a prognostic indicator of some elements of treatment response in CPT. Results tentatively support the importance of emotional activation during trauma recall in cognitive treatment of PTSD, though more research is needed to clarify how low HR reactivity impacts treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph K Carpenter
- National Center for PTSD, Women's Health Sciences Division, Boston, MA, USA; Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Suzanne L Pineles
- National Center for PTSD, Women's Health Sciences Division, Boston, MA, USA; Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael G Griffin
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, St. Louis, USA
| | - Shivani Pandey
- National Center for PTSD, Women's Health Sciences Division, Boston, MA, USA; Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly Werner
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, St. Louis, USA
| | - Natalia M Kecala
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, St. Louis, USA
| | - Patricia A Resick
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tara E Galovski
- National Center for PTSD, Women's Health Sciences Division, Boston, MA, USA; Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Fani N, Fulton T, Botzanowski B. The Neurophysiology of Interoceptive Disruptions in Trauma-Exposed Populations. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 38678141 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2024_469] [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: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
In the aftermath of psychological trauma, many individuals experience perturbations in interoception, a term that broadly references the ability to accurately detect body signals and integrate these signals with emotional states. These interoceptive disruptions can manifest in different ways, including blunting or amplification of sensitivity to internal physiological signals. In this chapter we review extant neurophysiological research on interoception in trauma-exposed populations, with a particular focus on the effects of chronic interpersonal trauma, such as childhood maltreatment and racial discrimination. We explore research that used different types of interoceptive assays, from self-report measures to electrophysiological and neuroimaging tools to characterize the disruptions in pain perception, interoceptive acuity, and physiological responses that may arise after a traumatic event. Finally, we discuss interventions that are designed to target interoceptive mechanisms, from exposure-based therapies to mindfulness-based practices, as well as future directions in trauma interoception research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Fani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Travis Fulton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Boris Botzanowski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Carpenter JK, Pineles SL, Griffin MG, Werner K, Resick PA, Galovski TE. Effect of PTSD treatment on cardiovascular reactivity during trauma memory recall and correspondence with symptom improvement. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2335865. [PMID: 38597201 PMCID: PMC11008309 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2335865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACTBackground: Prior research has shown PTSD treatment leads to reductions in cardiovascular reactivity during trauma recall, but the extent to which such reductions are associated with changes in PTSD symptoms is less clear. Moreover, such relationships have not been investigated in a cognitively focused PTSD treatment.Objective: To examine changes in cardiovascular reactivity to the trauma memory in patients receiving cognitive processing therapy (CPT), CPT with a written trauma account, and a written account only condition. We also examined the association of such changes with symptom improvement.Method: 118 women with PTSD secondary to interpersonal violence completed pre- and post-treatment assessments of PTSD symptoms and cardiovascular reactivity during a script-driven imagery task.Results: Results indicated a significant but modest reduction in cardiovascular reactivity in CPT conditions. Changes in cardiovascular reactivity and reexperiencing symptoms were significantly associated among the whole sample. Among individuals with the greatest reactivity to the trauma memory at pretreatment, associations were also seen with changes in total PTSD, numbing, and trauma-related guilt.Conclusions: Results indicate that previous findings on the effect of PTSD treatment on cardiovascular reactivity during trauma recall extend to cognitively oriented treatment. Baseline cardiovascular reactivity may influence the extent to which reductions in PTSD symptoms and reactivity during trauma recall are related.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph K. Carpenter
- National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division, Boston, MA, USA
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suzanne L. Pineles
- National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division, Boston, MA, USA
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael G. Griffin
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kimberly Werner
- College of Nursing, University of Missouri St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Patricia A. Resick
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical School, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tara E. Galovski
- National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division, Boston, MA, USA
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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4
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Fogelman N, Schwartz J, Chaplin TM, Jastreboff AM, Silverman WK, Sinha R. Parent Stress and Trauma, Autonomic Responses, and Negative Child Behaviors. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023; 54:1779-1788. [PMID: 35674991 PMCID: PMC9729425 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-022-01377-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Cumulative stress and trauma in parents may alter autonomic function. Both may negatively impact child behaviors, however these links have not been well established. We tested hypotheses that parent stress and trauma are associated with and interact with altered autonomic function during the toy wait task, an acute parent-child interaction challenge, to predict greater negative child behaviors. Sixty-eight parents and their 2-5 year old children were enrolled. More parent major and traumatic life events, and more parent recent life events coupled with increased heart rate and decreased heart rate variability (HRV), each related to more child disruptive/aggressive behavior. More major life and traumatic life events coupled with greater HRV predicted more child attention seeking behavior. Our novel approach to assessing parental life stress offers a unique perspective. Interventions mitigating parent stress and regulating physiological coping during parent-child interactions may both promote better parent health and improve child behavioral outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nia Fogelman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale Stress Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 2 Church Street South, Suite 209, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Julie Schwartz
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale Stress Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 2 Church Street South, Suite 209, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Tara M Chaplin
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Ania M Jastreboff
- Department of Internal Medicine (Endocrinology) and Department of Pediatrics (Pediatric Endocrinology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Rajita Sinha
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale Stress Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 2 Church Street South, Suite 209, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA.
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Lathan EC, Guelfo A, La Barrie DL, Teer A, Powers A, Siegle G, Fani N. Differing associations of depersonalization with physiological response during rest and breath-focused mindfulness in a trauma-exposed female population. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 162:193-199. [PMID: 37172509 PMCID: PMC10305839 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dissociative and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are commonly co-occurring responses to psychological trauma. Yet, these two groups of symptoms appear to be related to diverging patterns of physiological response. To date, few studies have examined how specific dissociative symptoms, namely, depersonalization and derealization, relate to skin conductance response (SCR), a marker of autonomic function, within the context of PTSD symptoms. We examined associations among depersonalization, derealization, and SCR during two conditions - resting control and breath-focused mindfulness - in the context of current PTSD symptoms. METHODS Sixty-eight trauma-exposed women (82.4% Black; Mage = 42.5, SDage = 12.1) were recruited from the community for a breath-focused mindfulness study. SCR data were collected during alternating resting control and breath-focused mindfulness conditions. Moderation analyses were conducted to examine relations among dissociative symptoms, SCR, and PTSD for these different conditions. RESULTS Moderation analyses revealed that depersonalization was linked to lower SCR during resting control, B = 0.0005, SE = 0.0002, p = .006, in participants low-to-moderate PTSD symptoms; however, depersonalization was associated with higher SCR during breath-focused mindfulness, B = -0.0006, SE = 0.0003, p = .029, in individuals with similar levels of PTSD symptoms. No significant interaction between derealization and PTSD symptoms on SCR was observed. CONCLUSIONS Depersonalization symptoms may associate with physiological withdrawal during rest, but greater physiological arousal during effortful emotion regulation in individuals with low-to moderate levels of PTSD, which has significant implications for barriers to treatment engagement as well as treatment selection in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C Lathan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Alfonsina Guelfo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | | | - Andrew Teer
- Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Greg Siegle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Negar Fani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Iffland B, Eilers R, Rosner R, Renneberg B, Steil R, Neuner F. Differentiated processing of emotional cues in adolescents and young adults with ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD after child abuse. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2904. [PMID: 36749180 PMCID: PMC10013947 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recent update of the International Classification of Diseases 11th revision (ICD-11) introduced the diagnosis of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) as a distinct entity from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because psychophysiological alterations are a core diagnostic feature of PTSD and CPTSD, the aim of the current study was to examine potential distinctive patterns in cortical and cardiac responses to emotional words in adolescent and young adult patients with PTSD and CPTSD. METHOD Event-related potentials and heart rate responses were studied in 81 adolescent and young adult participants, of which 17 individuals were diagnosed with ICD-11 PTSD and 32 individuals with CPTSD, each after childhood sexual and/or physical abuse. Thirty-two individuals served as healthy controls. The paradigm consisted of a passive reading task with neutral, positive, physically threatening, and socially threatening words. RESULTS Differentiated early processing of emotional words was indicated by differences on P1 and left EPN components. Additionally, PTSD and CPTSD patients presented with specific patterns of heart rate responses to emotional words. In CPTSD patients, heart rate reactions to emotional words were more variable than in PTSD patients. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide early evidence of differentiated cortical and cardiac response patterns in adolescent and young adult patients with CPTSD and PTSD, supporting a nosological distinction between PTSD and complex PTSD. However, due to small and unequal sample sizes, findings presented in the current study are preliminary and require future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Iffland
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Rebekka Eilers
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt, Germany
| | - Rita Rosner
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt, Germany
| | - Babette Renneberg
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Regina Steil
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Frank Neuner
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Ettore E, Müller P, Hinze J, Benoit M, Giordana B, Postin D, Lecomte A, Lindsay H, Robert P, König A. Digital Phenotyping for Differential Diagnosis of Major Depressive Episode: Narrative Review. JMIR Ment Health 2023; 10:e37225. [PMID: 36689265 PMCID: PMC9903183 DOI: 10.2196/37225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive episode (MDE) is a common clinical syndrome. It can be found in different pathologies such as major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or even occur in the context of psychological trauma. However, only 1 syndrome is described in international classifications (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition [DSM-5]/International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision [ICD-11]), which do not take into account the underlying pathology at the origin of the MDE. Clinical interviews are currently the best source of information to obtain the etiological diagnosis of MDE. Nevertheless, it does not allow an early diagnosis and there are no objective measures of extracted clinical information. To remedy this, the use of digital tools and their correlation with clinical symptomatology could be useful. OBJECTIVE We aimed to review the current application of digital tools for MDE diagnosis while highlighting shortcomings for further research. In addition, our work was focused on digital devices easy to use during clinical interview and mental health issues where depression is common. METHODS We conducted a narrative review of the use of digital tools during clinical interviews for MDE by searching papers published in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases since February 2010. The search was conducted from June to September 2021. Potentially relevant papers were then compared against a checklist for relevance and reviewed independently for inclusion, with focus on 4 allocated topics of (1) automated voice analysis, behavior analysis by (2) video and physiological measures, (3) heart rate variability (HRV), and (4) electrodermal activity (EDA). For this purpose, we were interested in 4 frequently found clinical conditions in which MDE can occur: (1) MDD, (2) BD, (3) PTSD, and (4) psychological trauma. RESULTS A total of 74 relevant papers on the subject were qualitatively analyzed and the information was synthesized. Thus, a digital phenotype of MDE seems to emerge consisting of modifications in speech features (namely, temporal, prosodic, spectral, source, and formants) and in speech content, modifications in nonverbal behavior (head, hand, body and eyes movement, facial expressivity, and gaze), and a decrease in physiological measurements (HRV and EDA). We not only found similarities but also differences when MDE occurs in MDD, BD, PTSD, or psychological trauma. However, comparative studies were rare in BD or PTSD conditions, which does not allow us to identify clear and distinct digital phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS Our search identified markers from several modalities that hold promise for helping with a more objective diagnosis of MDE. To validate their potential, further longitudinal and prospective studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Ettore
- Department of Psychiatry and Memory Clinic, University Hospital of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Philipp Müller
- Research Department Cognitive Assistants, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz GmbH, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Jonas Hinze
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Center, Hombourg, Germany
| | - Michel Benoit
- Department of Psychiatry, Hopital Pasteur, University Hospital of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Bruno Giordana
- Department of Psychiatry, Hopital Pasteur, University Hospital of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Danilo Postin
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany
| | - Amandine Lecomte
- Research Department Sémagramme Team, Institut national de recherche en informatique et en automatique, Nancy, France
| | - Hali Lindsay
- Research Department Cognitive Assistants, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz GmbH, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Philippe Robert
- Research Department, Cognition-Behaviour-Technology Lab, University Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Alexandra König
- Research Department Stars Team, Institut national de recherche en informatique et en automatique, Sophia Antipolis - Valbonne, France
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Kearney BE, Lanius RA. The brain-body disconnect: A somatic sensory basis for trauma-related disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1015749. [PMID: 36478879 PMCID: PMC9720153 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1015749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the manifestation of trauma in the body is a phenomenon well-endorsed by clinicians and traumatized individuals, the neurobiological underpinnings of this manifestation remain unclear. The notion of somatic sensory processing, which encompasses vestibular and somatosensory processing and relates to the sensory systems concerned with how the physical body exists in and relates to physical space, is introduced as a major contributor to overall regulatory, social-emotional, and self-referential functioning. From a phylogenetically and ontogenetically informed perspective, trauma-related symptomology is conceptualized to be grounded in brainstem-level somatic sensory processing dysfunction and its cascading influences on physiological arousal modulation, affect regulation, and higher-order capacities. Lastly, we introduce a novel hierarchical model bridging somatic sensory processes with limbic and neocortical mechanisms regulating an individual's emotional experience and sense of a relational, agentive self. This model provides a working framework for the neurobiologically informed assessment and treatment of trauma-related conditions from a somatic sensory processing perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanne E. Kearney
- Department of Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Department of Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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9
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Schäflein E, Mertens YL, Lejko N, Beutler S, Sattel H, Sack M. Altered frontal electroencephalography as a potential correlate of acute dissociation in dissociative disorders: novel findings from a mirror confrontation study. BJPsych Open 2022; 8:e196. [PMID: 36353799 PMCID: PMC9707509 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
People suffering from chronic dissociation often experience stress and detachment during self-perception. We tested 18 people with dissociative disorders not otherwise specified (DDNOS; compared with a matched sample of 18 healthy controls) undergoing a stress-inducing facial mirror confrontation paradigm, and measured acute dissociation and frontal electroencephalography (measured with a four-channel system) per experimental condition (e.g. confrontation with negative cognition). Linear mixed models indicated a significant group×time×condition effect, with DDNOS group depicting less electroencephalography power than healthy controls at the beginning of mirror confrontation combined with negative and positive cognition. This discrepancy - most prominent in the negative condition - diminished in the second minute. Correlational analyses depicted a positive association between initial electroencephalography power and acute dissociation in the DDNOS group. These preliminary findings may indicate altered neural processing in DDNOS, but require further investigation with more precise electroencephalography measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Schäflein
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany; and Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hospital rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Yoki Linn Mertens
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nena Lejko
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah Beutler
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Medical Faculty, Technical University of Dresden, Germany
| | - Heribert Sattel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hospital rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Sack
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hospital rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich, Germany
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10
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Beutler S, Mertens YL, Ladner L, Schellong J, Croy I, Daniels JK. Trauma-related dissociation and the autonomic nervous system: a systematic literature review of psychophysiological correlates of dissociative experiencing in PTSD patients. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2132599. [PMID: 36340007 PMCID: PMC9635467 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2022.2132599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Neurophysiological models link dissociation (e.g. feeling detached during or after a traumatic event) to hypoarousal. It is currently assumed that the initial passive reaction to a threat may coincide with a blunted autonomic response, which constitutes the dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective: Within this systematic review we summarize research which evaluates autonomic nervous system activation (e.g. heart rate, blood pressure) and dissociation in PTSD patients to discern the validity of current neurophysiological models of trauma-related hypoarousal. Method: Of 553 screened articles, 28 studies (N = 1300 subjects) investigating the physiological response to stress provocation or trauma-related interventions were included in the final analysis. Results: No clear trend exists across all measured physiological markers in trauma-related dissociation. Extracted results are inconsistent, in part due to high heterogeneity in experimental methodology. Conclusion: The current review is unable to provide robust evidence that peri- and post-traumatic dissociation are associated with hypoarousal, questioning the validity of distinct psychophysiological profiles in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Beutler
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Medical Faculty, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Yoki L Mertens
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Liliana Ladner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Medical Faculty, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Julia Schellong
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Medical Faculty, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ilona Croy
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Medical Faculty, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Clinical Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Judith K Daniels
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Boulet C, Lopez-Castroman J, Mouchabac S, Olié E, Courtet P, Thouvenot E, Abbar M, Conejero I. Stress response in dissociation and conversion disorders: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:957-967. [PMID: 34740754 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Dissociative disorders (DD) and conversion disorders (CD) are frequent in general and psychiatric populations. Some evidence suggest that the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) are dysregulated in both disorders. We carried out a systematic review of the literature to summarize the existing knowledge on the stress response, via HPA and/or ANS, in patients with DD, CD, or dissociative symptoms. We systematically searched Medline and Web of Science using the Medical Subject Headings related to stress axis, CD, DD, and dissociative symptoms following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results suggest that in participants without psychiatric history, high cortisol secretion is related to high dissociation scores. Conversely the stress system might be blunted in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder who develop dissociative symptoms. Stress response changes seem to be associated with the emergence and persistence of dissociative and conversion disorders. Hence, monitoring the stress response and examining closely the history of stress exposure in DD and CD should be encouraged in future larger studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Boulet
- Department of Psychiatry, Nîmes University Hospital, Nîmes, France
| | - Jorge Lopez-Castroman
- Department of Psychiatry, Nîmes University Hospital, Nîmes, France; IGF, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Stéphane Mouchabac
- Saint-Antoine Hospital Center APHP, Department of Psychiatry, iCRIN Psychiatry (Infrastructure of Clinical Research in Neurosciences-Psychiatry), Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, INSERM, CNRS, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Emilie Olié
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Acute Care, Lapeyronie Hospital CHU Montpellier, IGF, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Courtet
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Acute Care, Lapeyronie Hospital CHU Montpellier, IGF, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Eric Thouvenot
- Department of Neurology, Nîmes University Hospital, University of Montpellier, Nîmes, France
| | - Mocrane Abbar
- Department of Psychiatry, Nîmes University Hospital, Nîmes, France
| | - Ismael Conejero
- Department of Psychiatry, Nîmes University Hospital, Nîmes, France; IGF, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France; Centre de Biochimie Structurale, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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Cavicchioli M, Scalabrini A, Northoff G, Mucci C, Ogliari A, Maffei C. Dissociation and emotion regulation strategies: A meta-analytic review. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 143:370-387. [PMID: 34592484 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Clinical and neurobiological models posited that dissociative mechanisms might affect processes involved in emotional generation and regulation. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive theoretical framework that systematically includes dissociation within emotional functioning. METHODS The current study aims at conducting a meta-analytic review on the relationship between dissociation and emotion regulation in order to empirically estimate to what extent dissociation is related to emotion regulation processes. The meta-analysis was based on r coefficient as effect size measure, using a random-effect approach. RESULTS The meta-analysis included 57 independent studies for a total of 11596 individuals. Findings showed an overall moderate relationship between dissociation and emotion regulation (rw = .32; p < .05). The association between dissociation and emotion regulation was the same among clinical samples than non-clinical ones. Furthermore, dissociation showed moderate to large relationships with maladaptive domains of emotion regulation, namely disengagement (rw = 0.34; p < .01) (i.e., behavioral avoidance, experiential avoidance, thought and emotional suppression) and aversive cognitive perseveration (rw = 0.38; p < .001) (i.e., rumination, worry and nonacceptance). The analysis did not find significant relationship between dissociation and adaptive domain of emotional regulation (i.e., problem solving, mindfulness). CONCLUSION Dissociation in the context of emotion regulation might be viewed as a basic neuro-mental mechanism that automatically contribute to the over-modulation of emotional states through avoidance reactions from internal and external reality. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the causal relationships between dissociation and emotion regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cavicchioli
- Department of Psychology, University "Vita-Salute San Raffaele", Via Stamira d'Ancona 20, 20127, Milano (MI), Italy; Unit of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, San Raffaele-Turro Hospital, Via Stamira d'Ancona 20, 20127, Milano (MI), Italy.
| | - Andrea Scalabrini
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences (DiSPuTer), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 33, 66100, Chieti (CH), Italy.
| | - Georg Northoff
- Mental Health Centre, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Tianmu Road 305, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China; Centre for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Tianmu Road 305, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China; The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research & University of Ottawa. Brain and Mind Research Institute, Centre for Neural Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 145 Carling Avenue, Rm. 6435, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Clara Mucci
- Department of Human and Social Science, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Anna Ogliari
- Department of Psychology, University "Vita-Salute San Raffaele", Via Stamira d'Ancona 20, 20127, Milano (MI), Italy; Child in Mind Lab, University "Vita-Salute San Raffaele", Via Stamira d'Ancona 20, 20127, Milano (MI), Italy
| | - Cesare Maffei
- Department of Psychology, University "Vita-Salute San Raffaele", Via Stamira d'Ancona 20, 20127, Milano (MI), Italy; Unit of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, San Raffaele-Turro Hospital, Via Stamira d'Ancona 20, 20127, Milano (MI), Italy
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Psychiatric Illnesses as Disorders of Network Dynamics. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2021; 6:865-876. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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14
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The relationship between dissociation and acute pain: the impact of prior and reactive dissociation. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01798-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Roydeva MI, Reinders AATS. Biomarkers of Pathological Dissociation: A Systematic Review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 123:120-202. [PMID: 33271160 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pathological dissociation is a severe, debilitating and transdiagnostic psychiatric symptom. This review identifies biomarkers of pathological dissociation in a transdiagnostic manner to recommend the most promising research and treatment pathways in support of the precision medicine framework. A total of 205 unique studies that met inclusion criteria were included. Studies were divided into four biomarker categories, namely neuroimaging, psychobiological, psychophysiological and genetic biomarkers. The dorsomedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, bilateral superior frontal regions, (anterior) cingulate, posterior association areas and basal ganglia are identified as neurofunctional biomarkers of pathological dissociation and decreased hippocampal, basal ganglia and thalamic volumes as neurostructural biomarkers. Increased oxytocin and prolactin and decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) are identified as psychobiological markers. Psychophysiological biomarkers, including blood pressure, heart rate and skin conductance, were inconclusive. For the genetic biomarker category studies related to dissociation were limited and no clear directionality of effect was found to warrant identification of a genetic biomarker. Recommendations for future research pathways and possible clinical applicability are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika I Roydeva
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Antje A T S Reinders
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.
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16
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Psychophysiological responses underlying unresolved loss and trauma in the Adult Attachment Interview. Dev Psychopathol 2020; 34:197-212. [PMID: 33168119 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420001492] [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: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Unresolved loss/trauma in the context of the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) has been theorised to result from dissociative processing of fear-related memories and ideas. To examine the plausibility of this model, this study tested hypothesised associations between unresolved loss/trauma and indicators of autonomic nervous system (ANS) reactivity. First-time pregnant women (N = 235) participated in the AAI while heart rate (interbeat interval; IBI) and indicators of parasympathetic reactivity (respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA) and sympathetic reactivity (pre-ejection period; PEP, skin conductance level; SCL) were recorded. Using multilevel modelling, ANS reactivity was examined in relation to topic (loss/trauma versus other questions); discussion of actual loss/trauma; classification of unresolved/disorganised; and unresolved responses during the interview. Responses to loss/trauma questions and discussion of loss were associated with respectively larger and smaller IBIs. There was no moderation by unresolved/disorganised status. Unresolved responses about loss were associated with smaller IBIs. Participants classified as unresolved/disorganised showed decreasing PEP and blunted SCL throughout the whole interview. The findings suggest that unresolved speech about loss co-occurs with physiological arousal, although the inconclusive findings regarding parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system responses fail to clearly support the role of fear.
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17
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Iffland B, Klein F, Rosner R, Renneberg B, Steil R, Neuner F. Cardiac reactions to emotional words in adolescents and young adults with PTSD after child abuse. Psychophysiology 2019; 57:e13470. [PMID: 31456251 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with alterations in cardiac reactivity to threat cues. Meta-analyses have summarized that adults with PTSD have increased heart rates in response to trauma-related stimuli. However, the opposite effect (i.e., cardiac hyporeactivity) has recently been reported in subgroups of PTSD patients. In children and adolescents with PTSD, reports of cardiac alterations are rare and ambiguous. So far, most studies in adolescents and young adults are restricted to victims of accidents, even though PTSD is highly prevalent in victims of child maltreatment. The present study aimed at investigating cardiac reactions in adolescents and young adults with PTSD after child abuse. Cardiac responses to standardized emotional words were studied in 39 adolescent and young adult PTSD patients after childhood sexual and/or physical abuse as compared to 39 healthy control subjects (age range: 15-20 years). The experimental paradigm consisted of a passive reading task with neutral, positive, physically threatening, and socially threatening (swear) words. Results showed that cardiac reactions to negative stimuli, particularly physically threatening stimuli, were less pronounced in PTSD patients than in controls. Moreover, cardiac reactions in response to socially threatening words were less variable in the PTSD group. No differences between and within groups were present in reaction to neutral or positive stimuli. Findings suggest that a physiologically blunted subtype of PTSD may already manifest during adolescence and young adulthood. Moreover, the results of the present study emphasize the relevance of individual trauma history for physiological reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Iffland
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Fabian Klein
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Rita Rosner
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt, Germany
| | - Babette Renneberg
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Regina Steil
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Frank Neuner
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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18
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Fani N, King TZ, Powers A, Hardy RA, Siegle GJ, Blair RJ, Surapaneni S, van Rooij S, Ressler KJ, Jovanovic T, Bradley B. Cognitive and neural facets of dissociation in a traumatized population. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 19:863-875. [PMID: 30124316 DOI: 10.1037/emo0000466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Dissociative phenomena are frequently experienced by psychologically traumatized people. However, little is known about the cognitive profiles of highly dissociative traumatized individuals, and corresponding patterns of neural connectivity when attentional networks are engaged in the context of emotion. One hundred seventeen traumatized women completed the multiscale dissociation inventory (MDI) and neuropsychological testing; MDI scores were used to classify high- and low-dissociative participants. Forty-six participants also underwent fMRI during performance of an attentional control task that incorporates emotionally distracting images (Affective Number Stroop; ANS). Compared to low-dissociative participants, high-dissociative participants demonstrated better performance on an executive functioning task (F1,111 = 4.64, p = .03), worse performance on a task of visual memory (F1,111 = 9.52, p = .003), and similar performance on all other neuropsychological measures. In addition, dissociative symptoms were negatively correlated with functional connectivity between the amygdala and right anterior insula in response to trauma-related ANS trials. These findings indicate that highly dissociative traumatized people experience difficulties with attentional control in the context of emotionally evocative stimuli, but in a neutral context, their overall cognitive profiles are similar to low-dissociative people. Highly dissociative participants also demonstrated weaker connectivity between the amygdala and insula in response to trauma-relevant images. Evocative, trauma-relevant stimuli appear to disrupt neutral networks involved with attention to salient cues and interoception in highly dissociative traumatized individuals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Fani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Tricia Z King
- Department of Psychology and the Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Raven A Hardy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Sindhuja Surapaneni
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Sanne van Rooij
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Bekh Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
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19
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Wilkerson AK, Uhde TW, Leslie K, Freeman WC, LaRowe SD, Schumann A, Cortese BM. Paradoxical olfactory function in combat veterans: The role of PTSD and odor factors. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2018; 30:120-130. [PMID: 30220788 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2018.1425063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Stress- and trauma-related disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are characterized by an increased sensitivity to threat cues. Given that threat detection is a critical function of olfaction and that combat trauma is commonly associated with burning odors, we sought a better understanding of general olfactory function as well as response to specific trauma-related (i.e. burning) odors in combat-related PTSD. Trauma-exposed combat veterans with (N = 22) and without (N = 25) PTSD were assessed for general and specific odor sensitivities using a variety of tools. Both groups had similar general odor detection thresholds. However, the combat veterans with PTSD, compared to combat veterans with comparable trauma exposure, but without PTSD, had increased ratings of odor intensity, negative valence, and odor-triggered PTSD symptoms, along with a blunted heart rate in response to burning rubber odor. These findings are discussed within the context of healthy versus pathological changes in olfactory processing that occur over time after psychological trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas W Uhde
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MUSC, Charleston, SC, US
| | - Kimberly Leslie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MUSC, Charleston, SC, US
| | | | - Steven D LaRowe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MUSC, Charleston, SC, US.,Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Charleston, SC, US
| | - Aicko Schumann
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MUSC, Charleston, SC, US
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20
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Donadon MF, Martin-Santos R, Osório FDL. The Associations Between Oxytocin and Trauma in Humans: A Systematic Review. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:154. [PMID: 29545749 PMCID: PMC5838009 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies have shown that traumatic experiences may affect hormonal systems mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the oxytocinergic system. This effect is the result of long-term impairments in hypothalamic structures and negative feedback mechanisms within the HPA axis, structures that mediate the response to stress. This deregulation reduces the production and release of cortisol and oxytocin (OXT), which may alter stress responses and lead to increased vulnerability to impairments from stressful experiences. The presence of gene polymorphisms might also have an impact on the vulnerability to psychopathology. We made a systematic review of articles dealing with the relationship between OXT and traumatic emotional experiences in humans. Thirty-five studies were reviewed and significant associations between experiences of emotional trauma (ET) and OXT were found. The main results showed that the presence of ET and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is strongly associated with reductions in endogenous OXT, and also that the acute effects of OXT administrations in individuals with ET tend to be anxiolytic only in less severe forms. In victims of recent traumatic experiences (RTE), OXT increased the re-experience of traumas and restored the function of different neural networks associated with fear control/extinction in PTSD patients. The results available also suggest that gene receptor polymorphisms may have a protective function in different outcomes after the experience of traumatic events. We conclude that the relationship between ET and OXT is multifaceted, complex, and mediated by contextual and individual factors. Directions for future studies are suggested considering the gaps in the available literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Fortunata Donadon
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rocio Martin-Santos
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Flávia de Lima Osório
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil
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21
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Chou CY, La Marca R, Steptoe A, Brewin CR. Cardiovascular and psychological responses to voluntary recall of trauma in posttraumatic stress disorder. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2018; 9:1472988. [PMID: 29887977 PMCID: PMC5990938 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2018.1472988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Voluntary recall of trauma is a key element in exposure-based psychotherapies and can trigger spontaneous dissociative responses such as flashbacks, depersonalisation, and derealisation. In order to examine the associations between cardiovascular and psychological responses to voluntary recollection of trauma, individuals with PTSD recalled a traumatic memory. Heart rate and heart rate variability were recorded continuously and the episodes when different forms of dissociation were experienced during the recall were identified. A significant increase in parasympathetic activity was found during trauma recall, with greater parasympathetic dominance being indicative of greater state depersonalisation/derealisation. Whereas overall decreases in heart rate during trauma recall were associated with increased fear and perceived threat, flashbacks were accompanied by short-term increases in heart rate. These findings demonstrate different types of cardiovascular responses associated with different psychological experiences during trauma recall. Future research directions were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Ying Chou
- Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Roberto La Marca
- Department of Psychology, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Steptoe
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chris R Brewin
- Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
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Schäflein E, Sattel H, Schmidt U, Sack M. The enemy in the mirror: self-perception-induced stress results in dissociation of psychological and physiological responses in patients with dissociative disorder. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2018; 9:1472991. [PMID: 29938011 PMCID: PMC6008582 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2018.1472991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Patients suffering from dissociative disorders (DD) are characterized by an avoidance of aversive stimuli. Clinical experience has shown that DD patients typically avoid the confrontation with their own faces in a mirror (CFM). Objective: To investigate potential CFM-associated self-reported and psychophysiological stress reactions of DD patients, which most likely inform on the still unknown pathophysiology of dysfunctional self-perception in DD. Method: Eighteen DD patients and 18 healthy controls (HCs) underwent CFM. They were assessed for CFM-induced subjective self-reported stress, acute dissociative symptoms and sympathetic and parasympathetic drive using impedance cardiography. Results: DD patients experienced more subjective stress and acute dissociation than HCs upon CFM. Their psychological stress response did not activate the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Conclusions: In DD patients, CFM constitutes serious self-reported stress and is associated with a blunted autonomic reactivity. Therapeutic approaches promoting self-perception and self-compassion, in particular by using CFM, might serve as goal-oriented diagnostic and therapeutic tools in DD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Schäflein
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Heribert Sattel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre of Göttingen, RG Stressmodulation of Neurodegeneration, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Sack
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Cross D, Fani N, Powers A, Bradley B. Neurobiological Development in the Context of Childhood Trauma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 24:111-124. [PMID: 30906116 DOI: 10.1111/cpsp.12198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neurobiological systems may be particularly susceptible to deleterious impact of childhood trauma, and the impact of childhood trauma on development and subsequent functional outcomes across the lifespan has been well-documented. The current review addresses the neurobiological impact of exposure to interpersonal trauma in childhood in the context of executive function, emotion regulation, and dissociation/interoceptive awareness. Subsequent risk for PTSD and depression is also discussed. The pathway of risk from childhood trauma to these cognitive, emotional, and psychiatric outcomes is addressed in terms of potential structural and functional alterations within the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala resulting from chronic or repeated activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its interaction with and influence on genetic and epigenetic processes during sensitive periods of development. Implications for practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorthie Cross
- Department of Psychology, Georgia Southern University
| | - Negar Fani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Bekh Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta VA Medical Center
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24
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Malcolm L, Kibler JL, Ma M, Tursich M, Augustin D, Greenbarg R, Gold SN. Psychophysiological Reactivity and PTSD Symptom Severity among Young Women. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 2:17-34. [PMID: 30405999 PMCID: PMC6218170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Mixed findings with regard to cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have suggested a need to further explore the nature of this relationship and factors that might explain differences in reactivity across and within samples. In the present study, the severity of PTSD symptoms was investigated in relation to CVR among young women. In addition, we examined whether severity within PTSD symptom clusters and level of dissociative symptoms were related to CVR. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) reactivity in response to an oral speaking task were assessed for 58 young trauma-exposed civilian women with varying levels of PTSD symptomatology (from no symptoms to high severity of PTSD). The PTSD severity sub-scores for the DSM-V symptom clusters and total PTSD severity were based on structured interview (Clinician Administered PTSD Scale), and dissociative symptoms were assessed using the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Severity of total PTSD symptoms was associated with greater CO reactivity (r = .48, p < .01) and lower TPR reactivity (r = -.50, p < .01). Significant associations were not observed for heart rate or blood pressure. Results did not vary according to severity of symptoms within PTSD symptom cluster, with correlations for CO reactivity ranging from .40 to .49 and correlations for TPR reactivity ranging from -.40 to -.50 within symptom clusters. Dissociative symptoms were not significantly correlated with the CVR measures. Results partially supported the expectation that PTSD severity is one factor that would be associated with CVR, and suggest that reactivity for the underlying components of blood pressure (CO and TPR) provide additional information in probing stress reactivity in PTSD.
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McKinnon MC, Boyd JE, Frewen PA, Lanius UF, Jetly R, Richardson JD, Lanius RA. A review of the relation between dissociation, memory, executive functioning and social cognition in military members and civilians with neuropsychiatric conditions. Neuropsychologia 2016; 90:210-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Olff
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam & Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen, the Netherlands
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27
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Sack M, Cillien M, Hopper JW. Acute dissociation and cardiac reactivity to script-driven imagery in trauma-related disorders. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2012. [PMID: 23198029 PMCID: PMC3509425 DOI: 10.3402/ejpt.v3i0.17419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Potential acute protective functions of dissociation include modulation of stress-induced psychophysiological arousal. This study was designed to explore whether acute dissociative reactions during a stress experiment would override the effects of reexperiencing. METHODS Psychophysiological reactions during exposure to script-driven trauma imagery were studied in relation to acute responses of reexperiencing and dissociative symptoms in 61 patients with histories of exposure to a variety of traumas. Acute symptomatic responses were assessed with the Responses to Script-Driven Imagery Scale (RSDI), and participants were divided into four groups by median splits of RSDI reexperiencing and dissociation subscale scores. RESULTS In a comparison of the high RSDI reexperiencing groups with low versus high acute dissociative symptoms, the high dissociators exhibited significantly lower heart rate (HR) during trauma script and a significantly smaller script-induced decrease in parasympathetic cardiac activity. HR reactivity to the trauma script was negatively correlated with acute dissociative symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS Acute dissociative reactions are a potential moderator of response to experimental paradigms investigating psychologically traumatized populations. We therefore suggest that future research on psychophysiological stress reactions in traumatized samples should routinely assess for acute dissociative symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Sack
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Germany
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