ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre

Abstract

In recent years there has been increased interest in Bayesian analysis in many disciplines  Bayesianmethods implement Bayes’ theorem, which states that prior beliefs are updated with data, and this process produces updated beliefs about model parameters.

The prior is based on how much information we believe we have preceding data collection, as well as how accurate we believe that information to be. Within Bayesian statistics, priors can come fromany source; for example, a meta-analysis, a previous study or, even, expert consensus.

Abstract

Rationale: Oxytocin has been suggested as promising pharma-cological strategy for prevention and medication-enhanced psychotherapy (MEP) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), by influencing neural fear responses, peripheral stress responses and socio-emotional functioning [1].

Abstract

Rationale: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event. PTSD risk may depend on an interaction between genetic and environmental vulnerability factors. Epigenetic processes such as DNA-methylation are responsive to environmental factors (e.g. stress) and can alter gene-expression, and have been found to mediate between trauma exposure and PTSD development [1].

Background: Confrontation with a traumatic (e.g. disaster-related) loss is a risk factor for the

development of psychopathology, including symptoms of prolonged grief (PG), posttraumatic

stress (PTS), and depression. Although interventions have been developed for reducing

post-loss psychopathology, more research into the effectiveness of treatment is needed

to improve care for bereaved persons. Cognitive therapy (CT) and eye movement desensitization

and reprocessing (EMDR) have been shown to be effective in trauma-exposed

In the past few years the number of refugees worldwide has increased dramatically. Many of them were traumatized in their homelands due to violent conflict or persecution, as well as during their flight, and are confronted with ongoing stressors in the exile countries. In order to contribute to enhancing the clinical knowledge, this special issue of the European Journal of Psychotraumatology focuses on traumatized refugees.

Anger and aggression are common mental health problems after military deployment. Anger and aggression have been associated with abnormalities in subcortical and cortical levels of the brain and their connectivity.

Here, we tested brain activation during the processing of emotional stimuli in military veterans with and without anger and aggression problems.

Thirty military veterans with anger and aggression problems and 29 veterans without a psychiatric diagnosis (all males) participated in this study.

Part of the symptomatology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are alterations in arousal and reactivity which could be related to a maladaptive increase in the automated sensory change detection system of the brain. In the current EEG study we investigated whether the brain’s response to a simple auditory sensory change was altered in patients with PTSD relative to trauma-exposed matched controls who did not develop the disorder.

INTRODUCTION:

Prehospital providers are at increased risk for psychological distress. Support at work after critical incidents is believed to be important for providers, but current guidelines are in need of more scientific evidence. This study aimed to investigate: (1) to what extent prehospital providers experience support at work; (2) whether support at work is directly associated with lower distress and (3) whether availability of a formal peer support system is related to lower distress via perceived colleague support.

Background: In popular media and on Internet, the neuropeptide oxytocin is often advertised as a miracle drug that cures all

types of disorders, reduces stress, saves marriages, all conveniently with a nasal spray. Here we will present the effects of intranasal

oxytocin on brain function in recently traumatized individuals and patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and

discuss clinical implications and further research. PTSD is characterized by exaggerated fear responses to threat and traumarelated