title: Differences in Intrusive Memory Experiences in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder after Single, Re- and Prolonged Traumatization.
abstract: Intrusive memory experiences (IMEs) are a common symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sensory perceptions of IMEs in the PTSD context vary substantially. The present research examined 20 patients with a single trauma, 20 re-traumatized patients and 80 Holocaust-traumatized patients who suffered from PTSD. Our results revealed significant differences in IME frequency based on the types of trauma experience. The findings suggest that patients with prolonged (Holocaust) traumata suffered from visual (65%) and combined visual/acoustic intrusive memories (29%), whereas visual memory experiences were most frequent (90%) among single-trauma patients. The trauma experience and the intrusive memory trigger stimulus were interdependent. The type of trauma critically affects the traumatic experience. Future studies should focus on these findings to improve PTSD therapeutic options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine and Health Sciences - University Hospital - Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Medical Campus University of Oldenburg, Bad Zwischenahn Germany.
authors.forename: Helge H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moeller
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen Germany.
authors.forename: Konstanze
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jenderek
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen Germany.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stroebel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen Germany.
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wiendieck
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sperling
keywords: intrusive memory experiences; post-traumatic stress disorder; prolonged traumatization; re-traumatization; single traumatization; trauma; trigger