Does post-traumatic stress disorder occur after stroke: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
Psychological reactions after stroke have been recognized for some time. The present study examined whether psychological symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could occur after stroke as a consequence of the sudden and unpredictable occurrence of a life-threatening internal stressor.


METHODS
Sixty-one patients who had experienced a first-ever stroke or transient ischaemic attack were assessed using standard self-report clinical measures for anxiety, depression and PTSD. Those patients who fulfilled criteria on at least one PTSD self-report measure were subsequently assessed using a structured clinical interview for PTSD.


RESULTS
Six (9.8%) patients fulfilled criteria for PTSD. No significant differences were found between the post-stroke PTSD group and the non-PTSD group in terms of premorbid health and lifestyle, or experiences of adverse life events. Significant differences were noted with respect to self-reported post-stroke mental health and premorbid neuroticism. The post-stroke PTSD group also scored consistently higher on measures of anxiety, depression and psychiatric caseness.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study demonstrate a number of close similarities between post-stroke PTSD and classical PTSD. We therefore conclude that PTSD or a PTSD-like syndrome can occur after stroke.
Sembi
S
S
Department of Clinical Psychology, North Manchester General Hospital NHS Trust, UK.
Tarrier
N
N
O'Neill
P
P
Burns
A
A
Faragher
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000150:complications; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology*