Psychosis in posttraumatic stress disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with the occurrence of secondary psychotic features, complicating treatment and resulting in negative outcomes. Some authors have suggested that PTSD with secondary psychotic features (PTSD-SP) is a diagnostic subtype of PTSD or even a separate diagnostic entity. However, other studies suggest that these psychotic features are just a form of psychiatric comorbidity, or a more severe form of re-experiencing symptoms, possibly related to a more severe or to specific kinds of traumatic events.

Psychology of consciousness : theory, research, and practice

Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice is a cross-disciplinary journal that encompasses neuroscience, social, cognitive, experimental, and clinical psychology. It publishes articles on theory, research, methodology, and clinical applications related to the psychology of consciousness.

Professionals under pressure : the reconfiguration of professional work in changing public services

Over the past decades, professional public services have been burdened with demands for accountability and with businesslike managerial systems that are endemic to the private sector. In this volume, a team of international experts shows that these influences are relative. They present theoretical and empirical insights on broader changes in and around professional work in healthcare, social welfare, education, and policing.

Prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms among child survivors 1 year following the Wenchuan earthquake in China

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence rates of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression and to explore potential risk factors among child and adolescent survivors 1 year following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. 3052 participants were administered the Child PTSD Symptom Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children, and the earthquake experience scale. Results indicated that the prevalence rates of probable PTSD and depression were 8.6 and 42.5 %, respectively.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms among former child soldiers in Sierra Leone: follow-up study

BACKGROUND: Former child soldiers are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), however, the trajectory of symptoms has yet to be examined. AIMS: The risk and protective factors associated with PTSD symptom change among former child soldiers in Sierra Leone were investigated. METHOD: Data from 243 former child soldiers (mean age 16.6 years, 30% female) were analysed. RESULTS: Self-reported rates of possible PTSD using standard cut-off points declined from 32% to 16% 4 years later (P<0.05).

Police officers: a high-risk group for the development of mental health disturbances? A cohort study

Objectives Policing is generally considered a high-risk profession for the development of mental health problems, but this assumption lacks empirical evidence. Research question of the present study is to what extent mental health disturbances, such as (very) severe symptoms of anxiety, depression and hostility are more prevalent among police officers than among other occupational groups. Design Multicomparative cross-sectional study using the data of several cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in the Netherlands.

Perceived Demands During Modern Military Operations

Using a cross-sectional design, this study explored operational demands during the International Security Assistance Force for Afghanistan (2009-2010) across distinct military units. A total of 1,413 Dutch soldiers, nested within four types of units (i.e., combat, combat support, service support, and command support units) filled out a 23-item self-survey in which they were asked to evaluate the extent to which they experienced operational characteristics as demanding. Exploratory factor analysis identified six underlying dimensions of demands.

Persistence of stress sensitization following deployment in soldiers with a history of early life trauma

Background: Stress sensitization, i.e., increased responsiveness to stressful life events has been found in high trauma exposed adults within the first 18 months following trauma exposure (Smid et al., 2012) as well as in young children (Grasso, Ford, & Briggs-Gowan, 2012). However, it is unclear whether stress sensitization may persist over time. We hypothesized that soldiers exposed to high levels of early life trauma would be at risk of persistence of stress sensitization 2 years following deployment.

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