Temperamental Traits and Severity of PTSD Symptoms: Data from Longitudinal Studies of Motor Vehicle Accident Survivors

The paper presents the results of a longitudinal study of two groups of participants of motor vehicle accidents (MVA). They were investigated twice: The first time after 1–6 months (N = 362) or 12–24 months (N = 337) after a MVA, and then 1 year after the initial assessment. We assumed that, among the environmental variables (severity of experienced trauma, trauma-related prolonged stressors, other traumatic event and social support), two temperamental traits, emotional reactivity and briskness, would be factors influencing the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder.

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Protect: Process of Recognition and Orientation of Torture Victims in European Countries to Facilitate Care and Treatment

According to Council Directive 2003/9/EC of January 27th 2003 laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers, the Member States have to take into account the specific situation of vulnerable persons among other applicants who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence. This provision shall apply only to applicants recognized as having special needs, after an individual assessment of their situation.

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Psychiatric comorbidity of patients on methadone maintenance treatment with a history of sexual abuse

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of a history of sexual abuse and its relation to psychiatric comorbidity among former opiate addicts currently on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). We evaluated the history of sexual abuse and current clinical obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), dissociative identity disorder (DID), and complex posttraumatic distress disorder (cPTSD), and administered the Life Events Inventory Questionnaire among 125 MMT patients (76 females and 49 males).

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Plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor level may contribute to the therapeutic response to eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing in complex post-traumatic stress disorder: a pilot study

We investigated the relationship between plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) and responses to eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) in complex post-traumatic stress disorder (complex PTSD). Before and after EMDR, plasma levels of neurotrophic factors and scores in the indices of self-questionnaires were obtained for eight men with complex PTSD. Baseline plasma levels of BDNF and NGF of responders and of non-responders were compared. The plasma BDNF levels of responders were higher than those of non-responders.

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Family violence and mental health in adolescence: complex trauma as a developmental disorder

AIM: To highlight the harmfulness and pervasive of early and repeated exposure to family violence from the theoretical perspective of complex trauma as a developmental disorder. METHOD: A study carried out on a sample of 22 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 18, who have been entrusted to Il Faro Bologna, a Specialist Centre for child abuse and neglect. Specific areas of psychological functioning were examined. According to the NCTSN these areas are considered vulnerable to violence in primary relationships and crucial for future mental health.

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Complex posttraumatic stress disorder in patients with borderline personality disorder and somatoform disorders

Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS), also known as Complex posttraumatic stress disorder, was assessed in a sample (N = 472) of adult psychiatric patients with confirmed diagnoses of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Somatoform Disorders (SoD), comorbid BPD + SoD, or Affective or Anxiety Disorders (Psychiatric Controls, PC).

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Affect Regulation and HIV Risk Among Youth in Therapeutic Schools

The acquisition of affect regulation skills is often impaired or delayed in youth with mental health problems but the relationship between affect dysregulation and risk behaviors has not been well studied. Baseline data from adolescents (N-á=-á417, ages 13GÇô19) recruited from therapeutic school settings examined the relationship between affect dysregulation, substance use, self-cutting, and sexual risk behavior.

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War trauma lingers on: Associations between maternal posttraumatic stress disorder, parent–child interaction, and child development

The combination of vulnerability and resilience after traumatic experiences is a bewildering juxtaposition seen in human beings and especially so in children. A striking illustration of this juxtaposition are the findings of studies on the impact of traumatic events experienced by parents on health and adjustment of their children (often labeled as intergenerational transmission of trauma or secondary traumatization).

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Forensic psychiatric expertise: posttraumatic stress disorder

This article presents our experiences in the field of forensic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective. The study examined parameters of 30 patients with PTSD who were the subject of forensic expertise (PTSDF) and in 30 patients with PTSD who were not (PTSDN). Methods. Clinical research and the battery of tests (Impact of Event Scale - IES, Mississippi Scale, and list of symptoms of PCL-...

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Treatment for PTSD Related to Childhood Abuse: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childhood abuse is associated with features of affect regulation and interpersonal disturbances that substantially contribute to impairment. Existing treatments do not address these problems or the difficulties they may pose in the exploration of trauma memories, an efficacious and frequently recommended approach to resolving PTSD.

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