Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following a head injury: does amnesia for the event influence the development of symptoms?
BACKGROUND
There is controversy as to whether PTSD can develop following a brain injury with a loss of consciousness. However, no studies have specifically examined the influence of the memories that the individuals may or may not have on the development of symptoms.


OBJECTIVE
To consider how amnesia for the traumatic event effects the development and profile of traumatic stress symptoms.


METHODS
Fifteen hundred case records from an Accident and Emergency Unit were screened to identify 371 individuals with traumatic brain injury who were sent questionnaires by post. The 53 subsequent valid responses yielded three groups: those with no memory (n = 14), untraumatic memories (n = 13) and traumatic memories (n = 26) of the index event. The IES-R was used as a screening measure followed by a structured interview (CAPS-DX) to determine caseness and provide details of symptom profile.


RESULTS
Groups with no memories or traumatic memories of the index event reported higher levels of psychological distress than the group with untraumatic memories. Ratings of PTSD symptoms were less severe in the no memory groups compared to those with traumatic memories.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological distress was associated with having traumatic or no memories of an index event. Amnesia for the event did not protect against PTSD; however, it does appear to protect against the severity and presence of specific intrusive symptoms.
Turnbull
S J
SJ
Department of Psychology, Astley Ainslie Hospital, Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. sueturnbull@hotmail.com
Campbell
E A
EA
Swann
I J
IJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000647:Amnesia / Q000523:psychology*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D014474:Unconsciousness