Assessment of characteristics of intrusive thoughts and their impact on distress among victims of traumatic events

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study examines the psychometric properties of the Intrusive Thoughts Questionnaire (ITQ) and its utility as a predictor of distress among trauma victims.

METHOD:

Victims of three types of trauma, a motor vehicle accident (N = 115), a hurricane (N = 182), and recovery work after an airline disaster (N = 159), completed the ITQ along with the Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the Symptom Checklist-90, Revised (SCL-90-R), at several different time points after their exposure.

RESULTS:

Cross sectional study of symptom attribution and recognition of depression and anxiety in primary care

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the effect of patients' causal attributions of common somatic symptoms on recognition by general practitioners of cases of depression and anxiety and to test the hypothesis that normalising attributions make recognition less likely.

DESIGN:

Cross sectional survey.

SETTING:

One general practice of eight doctors in Bristol.

SUBJECTS:

305 general practice attenders.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:

Patients' perceptions of medical explanations for somatisation disorders: qualitative analysis

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To describe, from the perspective of patients, distinguishing features of doctors' attempts to explain the symptoms of somatisation disorders.

DESIGN:

Qualitative analysis of verbatim records of interviews in which patients recounted doctors' explanations of their symptoms.

SETTING:

Patients with persistent somatising symptoms referred from general practices in Liverpool and St Helens and Knowsley were interviewed before entry into a treatment programme.

SUBJECTS:

Temporal relationships between physical symptoms and psychiatric disorder. Results from a national birth cohort

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Physical symptoms and psychiatric disorder are associated. We aimed to investigate which comes first.

METHODS:

Understanding the needs of children following large-scale disasters and the role of government

Abstract

No one who experiences a disaster is untouched by it. Children and their families are often among the most affected. This article explains how mental health and medical professionals can assist families and communities in dealing with common disaster-related stress reactions in children. An overview of disaster research and examples of special concerns about children are given. In addition, an overview of the role of local, state, and federal governments, as well as other organizations, is provided.

A public mental health approach to the postdisaster treatment of children and adolescents

Abstract

This article describes the implementation of mental health intervention programs for children, adolescents,and their families exposed to natural disaster and violence. Recommendations are made regarding needed levels of organization, methods of screening and triage, training and supervision of mental health staff, design and implementation of treatment approaches, and longitudinal monitoring of course of recovery and intervention outcome.

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