Intrusive experiences and hyperarousal in acute stress disorder.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the relationship between hyperarousal, intrusions, and dissociative experiences in acute stress disorder (ASD).


METHODS
Trauma survivors with ASD (n=30) and without ASD (n=30) completed either a hyperventilation provocation test (HVPT) or a non-hyperventilating control procedure whilst monitoring intrusive experiences. Participants then completed the Physical Reactions Scale and the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Whereas the hyperventilation procedure resulted in an increase in the number of intrusions for ASD participants, the hyperventilation procedure resulted in a decrease in the number of intrusions for non-ASD participants. Contrary to expectations, there was no differences in dissociative reactions across group or condition.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide evidence that intrusive phenomenon are directly associated with elevated states of arousal for individuals with ASD.
Hopwood
Sally
S
School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Bryant
Richard A
RA
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006985:Hyperventilation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D040701:Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute / Q000523:psychology*