European journal of psychotraumatology
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Eur J Psychotraumatol · Jun 2020
Involvement of the cerebellum in EMDR efficiency: a metabolic connectivity PET study in PTSD.
We recently reported an improvement of precuneus PET metabolism after EMDR therapy in military participants suffering from PTSD. ⋯ The posterior cerebellum and its metabolic connectivity with the precuneus are involved in the clinical efficiency of EMDR in PTSD.
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Eur J Psychotraumatol · Jun 2020
Evaluation of the own body in women with current and remitted borderline personality disorder: evidence for long-lasting effects of childhood sexual abuse.
Evaluation of one's own body highly depends on psychopathology. In contrast to healthy women, body evaluation is negative in women from several diagnostic groups. Particularly negative ratings have been reported in disorders related to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) including borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it is unknown whether this negative evaluation persists beyond symptomatic remission, whether it depends on the topography of body areas (sexually connoted versus neutral areas), and whether it depends on CSA. ⋯ Women with BPD may require a specifically designed intervention to achieve a positive evaluation of their entire body. The evaluation of sexually connoted body areas seems to remain an issue even after remission from the disorder has been achieved.
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Eur J Psychotraumatol · Jan 2020
The impact of trauma exposure and moral injury on UK military veterans: a qualitative study.
Background: Exposure to a potentially morally injurious event (PMIE) has been found to be associated with a range of adverse mental health outcomes. However, how the psychological consequences following PMIEs compare to those encountered after a traumatic, but not a PMIE, remain poorly understood. Objective: The aim was to qualitatively explore UK military veterans' responses to experiences of trauma and moral injury and the impact of such events on psychological wellbeing. ⋯ Several risk and protective factors for experiencing distress following a PMIE were described. Conclusions: This study provides some of the first evidence that events experienced by UK veterans can simultaneously be morally injurious and traumatic or life-threatening as well as highlighting the process by which moral injury may occur in UK veterans. These findings illustrate the need to examine effective pathways for prevention and intervention for veterans who have experienced a morally injurious event.
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Eur J Psychotraumatol · Jan 2019
Parents' memories and appraisals after paediatric burn injury: a qualitative study.
Background: It is well established that a paediatric burn injury can lead to parental post-traumatic stress symptoms. The content of parents' memories and appraisals may reveal the traumatic experiences that need attention. Objective: To inform clinical practice, the aim of this study was to qualitatively examine parents' (intrusive) memories and appraisals, and associated emotions, concerning the injury, the hospitalisation, and its consequences. ⋯ Later appraisals of the burn injury and its consequences included negative appraisals of the child's increased vulnerability, responsibility of self or other, the child's prolonged suffering and (risk of) permanent change, as well as appraisals of positive outcome and recovery. Emotions commonly reported in the context of memories and appraisals were fear, sadness, guilt, and relief. Conclusions: This study offers insight into the traumatic nature of paediatric burn injury from the parent's perspective and provides directions for the delivery of trauma-informed (after)care.
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Eur J Psychotraumatol · Jan 2019
Pre-treatment pain predicts outcomes in multimodal treatment for tortured and traumatized refugees: a pilot investigation.
Background: Chronic pain is a common comorbid complaint in traumatized refugees seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. However, the effect of comorbid pain on treatment remains under investigated. Objective: To investigate whether pre-treatment pain (severity/interference) predicts outcomes in a multimodal treatment targeting PTSD, depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, and health-related disability in refugees exposed to torture and organized violence. ⋯ Age, gender and number of treatment sessions did not predict outcomes, except for a small negative effect of (older) age on PTSD. Conclusions: A growing body of literature suggests that pain and PTSD symptoms interact in ways to increase the severity and impact of both disorders in refugee and non-refugee populations alike. The present study suggests interference from pain can lessen the effectiveness of standard multi-modal treatments for refugees.