Citation

Buttanshaw LE, Purnell LR, El-Leithy SM, Pain AS. Psychol. Trauma 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/tra0001198

PMID

35130022

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: There has been great concern about the psychological implications of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on wellbeing and mental health worldwide. Previous pandemics have been associated with an increased risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, the experience of a pandemic for those with preexisting diagnoses of PTSD has not previously been researched. We aimed to understand the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic for people with a diagnosis of PTSD before the pandemic.

METHOD: Ten people, who were under the care of a specialist outpatient clinic for adults with PTSD during the COVID-19 pandemic, took part in semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts.

RESULTS: Themes were identified relating to changes in how a sense of threat was experienced during the pandemic, with both factors increasing and decreasing threat recognized; challenges related to trying to cope with the pandemic; and resources that helped with coping.

CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for clinicians working with people with PTSD during a pandemic are made. These include assessing for changes in the person's sense of threat and changes in triggers; supporting adaptation of prepandemic ways of coping and engagement with personal and professional support networks; and being alert to a possible increase or change in safety-seeking behaviors and addressing in the treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Language: en