The aetiology of postpsychotic posttraumatic stress disorder following a psychotic episode.
This paper examines the aetiology of postpsychotic posttraumatic stress disorder (PP/PTSD) symptoms in a sample of participants who had been hospitalized following a psychotic episode. Forty two people hospitalized for a psychotic illness were interviewed during recovery to investigate whether a psychotic episode was associated with PTSD symptomatology. All participants found psychosis and hospitalization highly distressing. PP/PTSD symptoms were not associated with demographic factors, previous trauma, treatment, or insight. The PP/PTSD group reported more distress and intrusive memories associated with illness and treatment experiences and had higher scores for anxiety and dissociative symptoms. The development of PP/PTSD phenomenology was associated with the psychological distress of the experience.
Shaw
Katharine
K
Seager Villa, Sunnyside Hospital, Addington, Christchurch, New Zealand.
McFarlane
Alexander C
AC
Bookless
Clara
C
Air
Tracy
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology