TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2022//
TI  - Understanding the experiences of people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
JO  - Psychological trauma: theory, research, practice, and policy
A1  - Buttanshaw, Louisa E.
A1  - Purnell, Lucy R.
A1  - El-Leithy, Sharif M.
A1  - Pain, Abigail S.
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - 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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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).<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1942-9681
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/tra0001198
ID  - ref1
ER  -