Citation

Bryant RA, O'donnell ML, Creamer MC, McFarlane AC, Silove D. J. Psychiatr. Res. 2011; 45(6): 842-847.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2010.11.012

PMID

21159353

Abstract

Reexperiencing symptoms are a key feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study investigated the pattern of reexperiencing symptoms in non-PTSD posttraumatic disorders. This study recruited 1084 traumatically injured patients during hospital admission and conducted follow-up assessment 12 months later (N = 817, 75%). Twelve months after injury, 22% of patients reported a psychiatric disorder they had never experienced prior to the traumatic injury. One-third of patients with a non-PTSD disorder satisfied the PTSD reexperiencing criteria. Whereas patients with a non-PTSD disorder were more likely to experience intrusive memories, nightmares, psychological distress and physiological reactivity to reminders, only patients with PTSD were likely to experience flashback memories (OR: 11.41, 95% CI: 6.17-21.09). The only other symptom that was distinctive to PTSD was dissociative amnesia (OR: 4.50, 95% CI: 2.09-9.71). Whereas intrusive memories and reactions are common across posttraumatic disorders, flashbacks and dissociative amnesia are distinctive to PTSD.

Language: en