PTSD

The number of people fleeing persecution and regional conflicts is rising. Western countries have applied increasingly stringent measures to discourage those seeking asylum from entering their country, amongst them, to confine asylum seekers in detention facilities. Clinicians have expressed concerns over the mental health impact of detention on asylum seekers, a population already burdened with trauma, advocating against such practices.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) impacts both individual and relational functioning. Veteran couples are at increased risk of relationship distress due to military stressors such as deployment, family reintegration, and traumatic stress. Although both Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) and its brief version (bCBCT) consistently have large effects on reducing PTSD symptoms, these treatments have more variable effects on relational outcomes. Given the impact of relationship functioning on the overall health of veterans, improving the effect of PTSD treatments on relationship functioning is an essential area of research. One promising path is the role of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted therapy in augmenting the relational impact of established therapeutic interventions such as bCBCT.

The efficiency and validity of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) surveys were determined for pediatric orthopaedic trauma patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a clinic setting.

Childbirth posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) poses significant challenges, impacting both mothers and infants. This work investigates whether childbirth PTSD is less recognized than PTSD caused by other index events.

Genetics research has potential to alleviate the burden of mental disorders in low- and middle-income-countries through identification of new mechanistic pathways which can lead to efficacious drugs or new drug targets. However, there is currently limited genetics data from Africa. The Uganda Genome Resource provides opportunity for psychiatric genetics research among underrepresented people from Africa. We aimed at determining the prevalence and correlates of major depressive disorder (MDD), suicidality, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol abuse, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and probable attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among participants of the Uganda Genome Resource. Standardised tools assessed for each mental disorder. Prevalence of each disorder was calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Multivariate logistic regression models evaluated the association between each mental disorder and associated demographic and clinical factors. Among 985 participants, prevalence of the disorders were: current MDD 19.3%, life-time MDD 23.3%, suicidality 10.6%, PTSD 3.1%, alcohol abuse 5.7%, GAD 12.9% and probable ADHD 9.2%. This is the first study to determine the prevalence of probable ADHD among adult Ugandans from a general population. We found significant association between sex and alcohol abuse (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.26 [0.14,0.45], p < 0.001) and GAD (AOR = 1.78 [1.09,2.49], p = 0.019) respectively. We also found significant association between body mass index and suicidality (AOR = 0.85 [0.73,0.99], p = 0.041), alcohol abuse (AOR = 0.86 [0.78,0.94], p = 0.003) and GAD (AOR = 0.93 [0.87,0.98], p = 0.008) respectively. We also found a significant association between high blood pressure and life-time MDD (AOR = 2.87 [1.08,7.66], p = 0.035) and probable ADHD (AOR = 1.99 [1.00,3.97], p = 0.050) respectively. We also found a statistically significant association between tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse (AOR = 3.2 [1.56,6.67], p = 0.002). We also found ever been married to be a risk factor for probable ADHD (AOR = 2.12 [0.88,5.14], p = 0.049). The Uganda Genome Resource presents opportunity for psychiatric genetics research among underrepresented people from Africa.

Labilization-reconsolidation, which relies on retrieval, has been considered an opportunity to attenuate the negative aspects of traumatic memories. A therapeutic strategy based on reconsolidation blockade is deemed more effective than current therapies relying on memory extinction. Nevertheless, extremely stressful memories frequently prove resistant to this process. Here, after inducing robust fear memory in mice through strong fear conditioning, we examined the possibility of rendering it susceptible to pharmacological modulation based on the degree of generalized fear (GF). To achieve this, we established an ordered gradient of GF, determined by the perceptual similarity between the associated context (CA) and non-associated contexts (CB, CC, CD, and CE) to the aversive event. We observed that as the exposure context became less similar to CA, the defensive pattern shifted from passive to active behaviors in both male and female mice. Subsequently, in conditioned animals, we administered propranolol after exposure to the different contexts (CA, CB, CC, CD or CE). In males, propranolol treatment resulted in reduced freezing time and enhanced risk assessment behaviors when administered following exposure to CA or CB, but not after CC, CD, or CE, compared to the control group. In females, a similar change in behavioral pattern was observed with propranolol administered after exposure to CC, but not after the other contexts. These results highlight the possibility of indirectly manipulating a robust contextual fear memory by controlling the level of generalization during recall. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the effect of propranolol on reconsolidation would not lead to a reduction in fear memory per se, but rather to its reorganization resulting in greater behavioral flexibility (from passive to active behaviors). Finally, from a clinical viewpoint, this would be of considerable relevance since following this strategy could make the treatment of psychiatric disorders associated with traumatic memory formation more effective and less stressful.

(R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) has rapid and sustained antidepressant (AD) efficacy at sub-anesthetic doses in depressed patients. A metabolite of ketamine, including (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine ((6)-HNKs) has been reported to exert antidepressant actions in rodent model of anxiety/depression. To further understand the specific role of ketamine's metabolism in the AD actions of the drug, we evaluated the effects of inhibiting hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes on AD responses. We assessed whether pre-treatment with fluconazole (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) 1 hour prior to ketamine or HNKs (10 mg/kg, i.p.) administration would alter behavioral and neurochemical actions of the drugs in male BALB/cJ mice with a highly anxious phenotype. Extracellular microdialysate levels of glutamate and GABA (Glu, GABA) were also measured in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Pre-treatment with fluconazole altered the pharmacokinetic profile of ketamine, by increasing both plasma and brain levels of ketamine and (R,S)-norketamine, while robustly reducing those of (6)-HNKs. At 24 hours post-injection (t24h), fluconazole prevented the sustained AD-like response of ketamine responses in the forced swim test and splash test, as well as the enhanced cortical GABA levels produced by ketamine. A single (2R,6R)-HNK administration resulted in prevention of the effects of fluconazole on the antidepressant-like activity of ketamine in mice. Overall, these findings are consistent with an essential contribution of (6)-HNK to the sustained antidepressant-like effects of ketamine and suggest potential interactions between pharmacological CYPIs and ketamine during antidepressant treatment in patients.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents a significant challenge for firefighters. While research suggests that admiration may have a positive impact on individual psychological well-being, its specific influence on PTSD among firefighters remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate the association between admiration, motivation (both internal and external), and PTSD in a sample of 2156 firefighters in order to identify effective coping strategies for managing PTSD in this population. The findings indicate a statistically significant inverse relationship between admiration and PTSD, with motivation acting as a mediator. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that internal motivation is negatively correlated with PTSD in the model, while external motivation shows a positive correlation. The results suggest that feelings of admiration are associated with firefighter PTSD via motivation. Specifically, internal motivation stemming from admiration appears to have a mitigating effect on PTSD symptoms, while external motivation is linked to exacerbation of these symptoms. These results have implications for the development of theoretical frameworks and practical interventions aimed at preventing PTSD among firefighters.

Doctors and nurses suffer different mental health conditions following traumatic incidents. We systematically synthesized existing evidence on the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their associated risk factors among doctors and nurses following mass casualty incidents (MCIs).

The heterogeneity of the core symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), high rates of comorbid mental and physical health conditions, and substantial impact of the disorder on functioning and well-being contribute to complex clinical presentations that can be challenging to treat. Despite these challenges, there are excellent manualized treatments for PTSD with significant empirical support. Although the success of frontline treatments for PTSD is evident, there remains room for improvement as indicated by suboptimal response and attrition rates. To address challenges to optimal therapy outcomes (COTOs), researchers have conducted numerous clinical trials designed to (a) enhance the core structure of treatment protocols to increase flexibility or (b) expand the protocols to address comorbid conditions that inhibit recovery. However, it is implausible to ever conduct the number of enhancement and expansion clinical trials necessary to test manual modifications for the universe of possible COTOs. This conceptual review describes the concept of a personalized model of therapy that leverages a case formulation approach to implementing an evidence-based treatment for PTSD. This personalized approach provides guidance for the clinician in assessing the patient's COTOs, monitoring them throughout treatment, and relying on the patient's idiosyncratic data to inform treatment decisions, including how and when to diverge from treatment when clinically indicated and ensuring a clear path to return to trauma-focused work when the COTO is stabilized. This personalized, case formulation approach to treating PTSD provides guidance for adopting a more flexible approach to treating clinically complex patients while ensuring fidelity to the protocol.

Critical-illness survivors may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and quality-of-life impairments. Resilience may protect against psychological trauma but has not been adequately studied after critical illness. We assessed resilience and its associations with PTSD and quality of life, and also identified factors associated with greater resilience.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is widely recognized as involving disruption of core neurocircuitry that underlies processing, regulation, and response to threat. In particular, the prefrontal cortex - hippocampal - amygdala circuit is a major contributor to posttraumatic dysfunction. However, the functioning of core threat neurocircuitry is partially dependent on sensorial inputs and previous research demonstrates that dense, reciprocal connections exist between threat circuits and the ventral visual stream. Further, emergent evidence suggests that trauma exposure and resultant PTSD symptoms are associated with altered structure and function of the ventral visual stream. The present review discusses evidence that both threat and visual circuitry together are an integral part of PTSD pathogenesis. An overview of the relevance of visual processing to PTSD is discussed in the context of both basic and translational research, highlighting the impact of stress on affective-visual circuitry. This review further synthesizes emergent literature to suggest potential timing-dependent effects of traumatic stress on threat and visual circuits that may contribute to PTSD development. We conclude with recommendations for future research to accelerate the field towards a more complete understanding of PTSD neurobiology.

Describe a 2-patient case report of a rare occurrence of significantly increased anxiety after a left-sided stellate ganglion block (SGB) and the subsequent improvement of that anxiety through a right-sided SGB. Right-sided SGB to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has over 23 supporting publications in the peer-reviewed medical literature, including level 1 evidence. A published case series of 285 patients showed that two-level SGB may improve anxiety-related symptoms in patients. However, a recently published study indicates that some patients only respond to a left-sided SGB. The patients had an ultrasound-guided right-sided SGB for the treatment of PTSD and experienced a reduction in anxiety symptoms based on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) scores. Later, a left-sided SGB was performed. Clinically, the addition of a left-sided SGB is typically associated with further anxiety reduction, but in these 2 cases, the patients had a significant reversal of the improvements experienced after a right-sided SGB. Following this unusual response to a left-sided SGB, these patients were offered another right-sided SGB, after which, they experienced a significant and durable improvement in anxiety symptoms beyond the original baseline PCL-score. In rare cases and for unknown reasons, a left-sided SGB may result in acute worsening of anxiety symptoms, which can be addressed and significantly improved with the application of a subsequent right-sided SGB.

Current literature suggests that people with psychiatric disorders have a higher risk of COVID-19 infection and a worse prognosis of the disease. We aimed to study the genetic contribution to these associations across seven psychiatric disorders as well as a general psychopathology factor (P-factor) and determine whether these are unique or shared across psychiatric disorders using statistical genetic techniques. Using the largest available genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we found a significant genetic overlap between depression, ADHD, PTSD, and the P-factor with both COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, and between anxiety and COVID-19 hospitalization. We used pairwise GWAS to examine this overlap on a fine-grained scale and identified specific regions of the genome shared between several psychiatric disorders, the P-factor, and COVID-19. Gene-based analysis in these genomic regions suggested possible links with immune-related pathways such as thyroid homeostasis, inflammation, and stress response. Finally, we show preliminary evidence for causal associations between depression, ADHD, PTSD, and the P-factor, and higher COVID-19 infection and hospitalization using Mendelian Randomization and Latent Causal Variable methods. Our results support the hypothesis that the relationship between psychiatric disorders and COVID-19 risk is likely due to shared alterations in immune-related pathways and is not a result of environmental factors alone, shedding light on potentially viable therapeutic targets.

Medical events in both childhood and adulthood, including components of the illness or injury and subsequent medical intervention, recovery, and disability, are increasingly being recognized as potentially traumatic. There has been an increased focus on scholarly work related to medical trauma and medically induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Existing evidence suggests that trauma-focused treatment can promote both physical and psychological recovery. However, there continues to be a dearth of clinical guidance on how to (a) best identify and treat prior trauma exposure that complicates adjustment to illness and increases the risk for medically induced PTSD and (b) address medically induced PTSD while concurrently targeting health-related concerns (e.g., pain, adjustment to illness, acquired disability) that may negatively impact recovery. Originally presented as a premeeting institute at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, this paper describes the biopsychosocial impacts of medical trauma on adults and considerations for assessment and intervention in both traditional trauma and integrated care settings. This includes clinical applications, including assessment, case conceptualization, and health and rehabilitation interventions, that can promote health-related adjustment and coping within the context of trauma-focused treatment.

A meta-analysis was performed to identify the pooled prevalence of mental health disorders (MHDs) among runaway and homeless youth (RHY). Relevant studies published between December 1, 1985, and October 1, 2023, were identified in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. A preliminary screening of 11,266 papers resulted in the inclusion of 101 studies. The pooled-prevalence estimates were obtained using a random-effects model. The findings showed varying lifetime prevalence rates of MHDs: 47% (conduct disorders and psychological distress), 43% (depression), 34% (major depressive disorders), 33% (post-traumatic stress disorder), 27% (personality disorders), 25% (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), 23% (bipolar disorders), 22% (anxiety), 21% (oppositional defiant disorders), 15% (anorexia), 15% (adjustment disorders), 14% (dysthymia), 11% (schizophrenia), 9% (obsessive-compulsive disorders), and 8% (gambling disorder). The current prevalence rates were: 31% (depression), 23% (major depressive disorder), 23% (anxiety), 21% (post-traumatic stress disorder), 16% (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), 15% (bipolar disorder), 13% (personality disorders), 13% (oppositional defiant disorders), 8% (schizophrenia), and 6% (obsessive-compulsive disorders). Regular screening and the implementation of evidence-based treatments and the promotion of integration and coordination between mental health services for adolescent minors and young adults with other service systems are recommended.

This cross-sectional longitudinal observational study aimed to clarify the question of whether painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in psychiatrically confirmed patients hospitalised for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) therapy after using splint therapy (ST) show long-term therapeutic effects in the case of functional disorders.

For decades, thousands of active-duty service members have sought treatment for trauma exposure. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a fast-acting nerve block documented in medical literature for nearly a century that has shown promise as a potentially life-altering treatment for post-traumatic stress (PTS).

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and severe psychiatric disorder. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex provides limited relief for symptoms of PTSD. This study will be conducted to validate the efficacy of MRI-guided rTMS in targeting the sites most closely associated with the amygdala for patients with PTSD. We hypothesise that the intervention will improve clinical symptoms by decreasing amygdala activity in patients.

Due to the demanding nature of their profession, nurses are at risk of experiencing irregular sleep patterns, substance use, and fatigue. Evidence supports a reciprocal relationship between alcohol use and sleep disturbances; however, no research has examined such a link in a sample of nurses. One factor that may further impact the dynamic between alcohol and sleep patterns is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. We investigated the daily bidirectional associations between alcohol use and several sleep domains (i.e., self-report and actigraphy-determined sleep), and moderation by baseline PTSD symptom severity.

Substantial progress has been made in the understanding of anorexia nervosa (AN) and eating disorder (ED) genetics through the efforts of large-scale collaborative consortia, yielding the first genome-wide significant loci, AN-associated genes, and insights into metabo-psychiatric underpinnings of the disorders. However, the translatability, generalizability, and reach of these insights are hampered by an overly narrow focus in our research. In particular, stereotypes, myths, assumptions and misconceptions have resulted in incomplete or incorrect understandings of ED presentations and trajectories, and exclusion of certain patient groups from our studies. In this review, we aim to counteract these historical imbalances. Taking as our starting point the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) Truth #5 "Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses", we discuss what we do and do not know about the genetic underpinnings of EDs among people in each of these groups, and suggest strategies to design more inclusive studies. In the second half of our review, we outline broad strategic goals whereby ED researchers can expand the diversity, insights, and clinical translatability of their studies. Appeared originally in 2022; 27:3929-3938.

This review aims to present an updated overview of cardiac disease-induced trauma and stress-related disorders such as acute stress disorder (ASD), adjustment disorder (AjD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). First, the prevalence of these disorders, their diagnostic criteria, and their differences from other trauma-related disorders are described. Special challenges in diagnosis and treatment are identified, with various screening tools being evaluated for symptom assessment. Additionally, the risk factors studied so far for the development of symptoms of cardiac-induced posttraumatic stress disorder and the bidirectional relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and cardiovascular diseases are summarized. Various therapeutic interventions, including pharmacological approaches, are also discussed. Finally, various areas for future research are outlined.

Estimate in a sample of U.S. fire investigators the: (1) prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk and mental health services use; and (2) association between organizational stigma and mental health disorders.

Over-generalized fear is a maladaptive response to harmless stimuli or situations characteristic of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety disorders. The dorsal dentate gyrus (dDG) contains engram cells that play a crucial role in accurate memory retrieval. However, the coordination mechanism of neuronal subpopulations within the dDG network during fear generalization is not well understood. Here, with the Tet-off system combined with immunostaining and two-photon calcium imaging, we report that dDG fear engram cells labeled in the conditioned context constitutes a significantly higher proportion of dDG neurons activated in a similar context where mice show generalized fear. The activation of these dDG fear engram cells encoding the conditioned context is both sufficient and necessary for inducing fear generalization in the similar context. Activities of mossy cells in the ventral dentate gyrus (vMCs) are significantly suppressed in mice showing fear generalization in a similar context, and activating the vMCs-dDG pathway suppresses generalized but not conditioned fear. Finally, modifying fear memory engrams in the dDG with "safety" signals effectively rescues fear generalization. These findings reveal that the competitive advantage of dDG engram cells underlies fear generalization, which can be rescued by activating the vMCs-dDG pathway or modifying fear memory engrams, and provide novel insights into the dDG network as the neuronal basis of fear generalization.

Black Americans have been disproportionally affected by the HIV epidemic, and experience significant disparities in sleep health, mental health, and physical health domains. Using longitudinal data from a sample of Black adults with HIV, the current study examined the associations between stigma and mental and physical health outcomes and how sleep disturbance may play a mediating role.

No comparative effectiveness data exist on nonopioid analgesics and nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytics to treat pain with anxiety. We examined the relationship between drug class and central nervous system (CNS) active drug polypharmacy on pain and anxiety levels in Medicare enrollees receiving home health (HH) care. This retrospective cohort study included enrollees with diagnoses and 2+ assessments of pain and anxiety between HH admission and discharge. Three sets of linear regression difference-in-reduction analyses assessed the association of pain or anxiety reduction with number of drugs; drug type; and drug combinations in those with daily pain and daily anxiety. Logistic regression analysis assessed the effect of medication number and class on less-than-daily pain or anxiety at HH discharge. A sensitivity analysis using multinomial regression was conducted with a three-level improvement to further determine clinical significance. Of 85,403 HH patients, 43% received opioids, 27% benzodiazepines, 26% gabapentinoids, 32% selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and 8% serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). Furthermore, 75% had depression, 40% had substance use disorder diagnoses, and 6.9% had PTSD diagnoses. At HH admission, 83%, 35%, and 30% of patients reported daily pain, daily anxiety, and both, respectively. Central nervous system polypharmacy was associated with worse pain control and had no significant effect on anxiety. For patients with daily pain plus anxiety, pain was best reduced with one medication or any drug combination without opioid/benzodiazepine; anxiety was best reduced with combinations other than opiate/benzodiazepine. Gabapentinoids or SNRI achieved clinically meaningful pain control. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors provided clinically meaningful anxiety relief.

Veterans and active duty service members are significantly more likely to die by suicide using firearms compared to the general population. Not-secure firearm storage (e.g., keeping guns loaded/in an unlocked location) is associated with greater risk for suicide and a third of veteran firearm owners store at least 1 personal firearm unsecured. Veterans and active duty service members are also significantly more likely to be diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population. Symptoms of PTSD are divided into 4 criteria: reexperiencing, avoidance, negative affect, and hyperarousal. Research has suggested that endorsement of hyperarousal symptoms is positively associated with unsecure firearm storage and that avoidance symptoms might be negatively associated with unsecure storage practices. The present study examined the relationship between self-reported firearm ownership and storage practices among each item from the Primary Care PTSD Screening for DSM-IV-TR (PC-PTSD-IV) to explore associations between PTSD features and firearm ownership and storage.

The 'Memory and Identity Theory' of ICD-11 Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) was recently published but has not yet been subjected to empirical testing. The objective of this study was to evaluate newly developed measures of memory and identity disturbances and test hypothesized structural relations between these constructs and CPTSD symptoms.

High dropout and low treatment attendance rates among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and personality disorders (PDs) continue to pose a significant challenge. Despite numerous studies focusing on enhancing treatment attendance, the identification of consistent and reliable predictors in patients with PTSD and comorbid PDs remains limited.

Children exposed to trauma are vulnerable to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other adverse mental health outcomes. In low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), children are at increased risk of exposure to severe trauma and co-occurring adversities. However, relative to high-income countries, there is limited evidence of the factors that predict good versus poor psychological recovery following trauma exposure in LMIC children, and the role of caregiver support in these high-adversity communities.

The deleterious effects of experiencing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), especially those associated with child abuse and neglect (CM-ACEs), is well documented. Two common behavioral and emotional concerns observed in children following CM-ACEs is post-traumatic stress and aggression. While support for cognitive models explaining both of these outcomes exists, little is known about any shared cognitive vulnerabilities that may explain the presence of both.

The Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program (MCPAP for Moms) and PRogram In Support of Moms (PRISM) are designed to help obstetric practices address perinatal depression. PRISM includes the statewide MCPAP for Moms program plus proactive implementation support.

G1 is a specific agonist of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1), which binds and activates GPER1 to exert various neurological functions. However, the preventive effect of G1 on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its mechanisms are unclear.

Introduction Since the last edition of the Black Book, several innovative agents have been approved or are poised to be approved in the coming year. These include novel antidepressants, the first muscarine agonist for the treatment of schizophrenia, the first psychedelic which may be approved for the treatment of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and the first disease modifying drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Three new antidepressants have come to the market in the past 18 months. The first of those, Auvelity, the combination of bupropion and dextromethorphan, takes advantage of a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic synergism between the two drugs. Dextromethorphan has several pharmacodynamic properties including actions on the NMDA receptor and the Sigma 1 receptor, adding to the indirect norepinephrine agonist properties of bupropion. How Dextromethorphan is rapidly metabolized via the CYP2D6 isoenzyme to dextrophan that may have mu opioid agonist properties. The combination with bupropion, a CYP2D6 inhibitor, inhibits the metabolism of dextromethorphan allowing for more consistent therapeutic levels. The combination of dextromethorphan 45 mg twice per day and bupropion SR 105 mg twice daily appears to be more effective than an equivalent dose of bupropion alone both in speeding up antidepressant response and achieving remission. However, it's not clear at this time how the combination would compare with a more typical dose of bupropion of 300-450 milligrams a day range. The phase III program for Auvelity, showed that the drug was well tolerated with the most common side effects being dizziness, headache, and dry mouth. Another novel antidepressant agent approved in 2023 is zuranolone (Zurzuvae). Zuranolone is an oral analog of IV brexanalone, and like brexanolone, was approved for the treatment of post-partum depression. The advantages of zuranolone over brexanalone are many. While brexanolone is a 60-hour intravenous infusion that must be administered in a health care facility, zuranolone is a once/day oral medication that is usually taken at home. Like brexanolone, and unlike most antidepressants, zuranolone has a short course of treatment, lasting just 14 days. Zuranolone's, as does brexanolone, is thought to act primarily as allosteric modulator of the GABA-a receptors. Despite only 14 days of treatment, zuranolone produced in depression in post-partum patients a clinically and significantly meaningful improvement at day 15 and continued to day 45 or 1 month past the end of treatment. Zuranolone is a schedule IV drug. The most common side effect in clinical trials was somnolence with 36% of participants reporting this side effect vs only 6% of those on placebo. Other common side effects included dizziness, diarrhea and fatigue. While the FDA declined to approve zuranolone as monotherapy or as an adjunctive treatment to standard antidepressants in major depression itself, there are positive studies in non-post-partum major depression albeit with smaller effect sizes and less consistent duration of activity. It is likely that zuranolone will continue to be studied in other depressive syndromes such as depression with anxious distress. The third "new" antidepressant approved late 2023 was gepirone (Exxua). Gepirone is not exactly a new or novel antidepressant and originally sought approval in the US about 20 years ago. There had been two positive studies of gepirone during the original NDA application but also a number of failed, negative, or non-informative studies as well. Thus, the FDA declined to originally approve the drug. However, failed and negative trials are common with antidepressants and after much internal debate, the FDA ultimately agreed to approve the drug based on the positive trials and a relatively favorable side effect profile. Gepirone, like buspirone, is a partial agonist of the 5HT1a receptor and a 5HT2 antagonist. As such, gepirone does not tend to be associated with sexual side effects, weight gain, or sedation. The most common side effects are dizziness, nausea, and insomnia which tend to improve in many patients over time. Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) continue to be the only class of agents [other than esketamine (Spravato)] approved in adjunctive treatment of resistant major depression. In addition to olanzapine (combined with fluoxetine; Symbyax), aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel), brexpiprazole (Rexulti), cariprazine (Vraylar) became the latest SGA to be approved in 2022. Adjunctive cariprazine at 1.5 mg daily was significantly more effective than adjunctive placebo in patients with MDD who had failed to achieve an adequate response with an antidepressant alone after 6 weeks of treatment. Interestingly, a 3 mg dose of cariprazine was less consistently effective. The major advantage of cariprazine over some of the other approved adjunctive SGA's is easy dosing, with the starting 1.5 mg dose being the optimal therapeutic dose for most people, and a lower metabolic side effect burden with most subjects having limited or no weight gain in short term trials. The most common side effect were akathisia/restlessness, fatigue, and nausea. Lumateperone (Caplyta) is also has positive phase III data in the adjunctive treatment of major depression and is expective file for approval in late 2024. Another recent major development in psychopharmacology is the reemergence of psychedelics in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The first of these is MDMA (phenethylamine 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD. A New Drug Application (NDA) was accepted by the FDA for MDMA in the treatment of PTSD in late 2023. Because the drug is being fast tracked as a "breakthrough" treatment by the FDA, it was expected to see approval in the summer of 2024. The phase II and III data for MDMA assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of PTSD have been quite consistent and impressive. However, independent reviews have pointed to significant deficiencies in these studies including the bias introduced because of functional unblinding; virtually all patients in psychedelic studies can guess whether they got the active drug or placebo. The functional unblinding, the lack of standardization of adjunctive psychotherapy as well as the abuse potential of MDMA, may delay an FDA approval. The typical regimen in these trials included 3 preparatory psychotherapy sessions followed by once/month dosing sessions (lasting about 8 hours) and using doses of 120-160 mg in a split dose. There were typically 3 monthly dosing sessions, each followed by 3 integrative psychotherapy sessions to help subjects process and understand their experiences during the dosing sessions. In the most recent phase 3 trials, over 70% of subjects no longer met criteria for PTDS compared to 46% of those treated with psychotherapy and placebo alone. The only approved medications for treating PTSD are two SSRIs, paroxetine and sertraline. These drugs effect only some dimensions of PTSD with only 20-30% achieving a remission level response with these drugs. Thus, MDMA assisted psychotherapy appears to achieve much higher levels of remission and response than has been true for the SSRIs. Since MDMA is not taken continuously, side effects from MDMA tend to be short lived. Side effects have included muscle tightness, nausea, diminished appetite, excessive sweating, feeling cold and dizziness among others. Since MDMA is currently a schedule I drug, it is likely that a rigorous Risk Evaluation Mitigation (REMs) program will be put in place and a limited number of centers and clinicians will be designated to perform MDMA assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. In addition to MDMA, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is in phase 3 trials for treating resistant depression but unlikely to be available before late 2025 at the earliest. An argument can be made that there has not been a truly novel antipsychotic since the introduction of clozapine in the US in 1990. All first-generation antipsychotics have been dopamine 2 antagonists and second-generation drugs have involved some ratio of 5HT2 antagonism to D2 blockade. In 2023, the FDA accepted the application of xenomaline/tropsium (KarXT) which may become the first muscarinic M1M4 agonist approved for the treatment of schizophrenia. Tropsium is added as a muscarine antagonist to block the peripheral cholinergic effects of a muscarine agonist. Xenomaline/tropsium appears to be effective in treating both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In a phase 3 study of 407 patients with schizophrenia, xenomaline/tropsium at doses of xenomaline/50 mg/tropsium 20 mg twice daily up to 125 mg/30 mg twice daily was significantly more effective than placebo in treating both and negative symptoms over 5 weeks of treatment. As would be expected, the side effect profile of xenomaline/tropsium is very different that all currently available antipsychotics. There is no risk of EPS as it is not a dopamine antagonist, and xenomaline/tropsium is not associated with significant metabolic effects. The side effects are cholinergic in nature and include constipation, dry mouth, and nausea. A decision is expected in September of 2024. The year 2023 also saw the approval of the first disease modifying drug in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, lecanemab (Lequembi). While acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine have been available for decades, these drugs modestly improve cognition in Alzheimer's disease patients and do not alter the progressive course of the illness. Lecanemab is an IV monoclonal antibody that targets the removal of beta-amyloid in the brain as well proto-fibrils that are also known to be toxic to neuronal tissue. When given early in the course of the illness, patients treated with Lecanemab showed 27% less decline on some measures of cognition and function than did patients treated with a placebo over 18 months (about 1 and a half years). It is not known whether treatment for longer than 18 months would show lesser or greater decline over time. However, there are simulation studies that suggest that Lecanemab may modestly reduce the number of patients who progress to severe Alzheimer's disease and require institutional care. The standard dose is 10 mg/kg given via IV over one hour every 2 weeks for 18 months. Lecanemab is typically administered in an infusion center so that side effects can be monitored. The most serious side effects of Lecanemab are amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) that are associated with brain edema and microhemorrhages. ARIA can occur in up to 15% of patients. More common side effects are headache and nausea. While it remains to be seen how useful these new agents will be in clinical practice, they do represent an approach to treating neuropsychiatric disorders that are a notable departure from the pharmacotherapy of the past half century. It seems likely that some patients who have not been able to respond to or tolerate traditional pharmacotherapy will find hope in these new medications.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an important mental disorder that can develop after mass traumas such as earthquakes. In our study, we aimed to investigate the development of PTSD after the Turkey earthquake (6 February 2023) and its association with some demographic variables, personality traits, and psychological vulnerability.

This column first reviews evidence that veterans have poorer response to trauma-focused therapies for PTSD compared to civilians. We then consider several explanations for this trend, starting with gender as a possible confounding variable. We also examine other hypotheses, including the effects of the military acculturation process, the unique influences of military traumas, such as combat and military sexual traumas, and the roles of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and moral injury. Future research, we conclude, must determine whether gender explains the differences in trauma-focused therapy response. If so, then the underlying reasons must be further explored. If not, then we must determine the unique characteristics of the veteran population that make it more resistant to treatment. Mining these elements will help us adapt our trauma-focused therapies to better help this population and close the response-rate gap.

Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibit sex differences in symptomology, with women more likely to report higher rates of intrusive and avoidance symptoms than men, underscoring the need for sex-informed approaches to research and treatment. Our study delved into the sex-specific aspects of stress-induced visual impairments using the single prolonged stress (SPS) model, a partially validated rodent model for PTSD. Male SPS mice exhibit heightened optimal spatial frequency (SF) of primary visual cortex (V1) neurons, while female counterparts exhibit decreased optimal temporal frequency (TF) of V1 neurons. This phenomenon persisted until the 29th day after SPS modeling, and it may be the physiological basis for the observed increase in visual acuity in male SPS mice in visual water task. Furthermore, our study found that corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 regulated optimal TF and optimal SF of V1 in mice, but did not exhibit sex differences. These findings indicated that severe stress induces sex-specific effects on visual function.

Although treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is effective in reducing symptom severity, remission rates are low. One potential underlying reason for treatment ineffectiveness is differential response of specific PTSD symptom clusters. Using data from a national Veterans Affairs (VA) residential PTSD treatment cohort, we conducted a longitudinal study to examine changes in PTSD symptom clusters from admission to 1-year follow-up.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after trauma exposure. Some studies report that women develop PTSD at twice the rate of men, despite greater trauma exposure in men. Lipids and their metabolites (lipidome) regulate a myriad of key biological processes and pathways such as membrane integrity, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation in the brain by maintaining neuronal connectivity and homeostasis. In this study, we analyzed the lipidome of 40 adults with PTSD and 40 trauma-exposed non-PTSD individuals (n = 20/sex/condition; 19-39 years old). Plasma samples were analyzed for lipidomics using Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (QToF) mass spectrometry. Additionally, ~ 90 measures were collected, on sleep, and mental and physical health indices. Poorer sleep quality was associated with greater PTSD severity in both sexes. The lipidomics analysis identified a total of 348 quantifiable known lipid metabolites and 1951 lipid metabolites that are yet unknown; known metabolites were part of 13 lipid subclasses. After adjusting for BMI and sleep quality, in women with PTSD, only one lipid subclass, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) was altered, whereas, in men with PTSD, 9 out of 13 subclasses were altered compared to non-PTSD women and men, respectively. Severe PTSD was associated with 22% and 5% of altered lipid metabolites in men and women, respectively. Of the changed metabolites, only 0.5% measures (2 PEs and cholesterol) were common between women and men with PTSD. Several sphingomyelins, PEs, ceramides, and triglycerides were increased in men with severe PTSD. The correlations between triglycerides and ceramide metabolites with cholesterol metabolites and systolic blood pressure were dependent upon sex and PTSD status. Alterations in triglycerides and ceramides are linked with cardiac health and metabolic function in humans. Thus, disturbed sleep and higher body mass may have contributed to changes in the lipidome found in PTSD.

Public health systems need evidence-based, feasible, and acceptable preventive interventions for trauma-exposed Black Americans. Self-compassion often serves as a protective factor following trauma exposure, but whether it alleviates risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and the extent to which it buffers against the deleterious effects of particular trauma types in a high-risk, community sample remains unknown. The present study examined whether the association between various trauma types (noninterpersonal vs. physical vs. sexual) and PTSD symptom severity was moderated by self-compassion in a sample of trauma-exposed Black Americans seeking primary care.

Violence against women is a common public health problem and causes negative mental health outcomes. Mind-body therapies aim to positively affect a person's mental health by focusing on the interaction between mind, body, and behavior. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of mind-body therapies on women's mental health.

Incidences of sexual violence have increased over the past few years. The negative impacts of sexual violence on adolescents are social isolation, low self-esteem, and disrupting the developmental stages of adolescents, and can even cause the risk of suicide. Nurses as providers of comprehensive nursing care have a role in reviewing various aspects to reduce the impact of sexual violence on adolescents. The purpose of this study is to explore methods of nursing intervention for reducing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among adolescents who are victims of sexual violence. The design used in this study is scoping review. Article were searched from CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus databases. The inclusion criteria for articles in this study were full text, randomized control trial or quasi-experimental research design, English language, samples is adolescents (10-19 years based on WHO) who are victims of sexual violence, and the publication period of the last 10 years (2013-2022). We found 12 articles which discussed about nursing interventions in reducing PTSD symptoms in adolescents who are victims of sexual violence. Range of the samples is 40-405 adolescents. Several articles from developed countries. There are three nursing intervention methods that can be carried out, namely improve skill interventions, relaxation interventions, and cognitive behavior therapy. Nurses act as educators, facilitators and counselors so that victims can recover from their traumatic experiences. Providing nursing interventions to adolescents who are victims of sexual violence needs to pay attention to all aspects that affect the physical and psychological condition of the victim.

Past research has suggested a cross-sectional association between COVID-19-related discrimination and PTSD symptom severity. However, no cohort study has examined the longitudinal association that better supports causal interpretation. Also, even if such an association genuinely exists, the specific pathway remains unclear.

To analyse the levels of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and burnout among nursing professionals working in the Imbabura region of Ecuador during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify the contributing socio-occupational factors.

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) have been shown to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in veteran populations. The aim of this study was to examine the association between IOP participation and inpatient psychiatric and mental health-related emergency department (ED) encounters among patients with PTSD.

Physical restraint of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) has an estimated prevalence of 50%. Many medical centres do not have specific protocols for physical restraint, and the decision of whether to physically restrain a patient is up to the nursing staff. Disadvantages of physical restraint include injuries, exacerbation of agitation and an increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Genetic association studies can reveal biology and treatment targets but have received limited attention for stroke recovery. STRONG (Stroke, Stress, Rehabilitation, and Genetics) was a prospective, longitudinal (1-year), genetic study in adults with stroke at 28 US stroke centers. The primary aim was to examine the association that candidate genetic variants have with (1) motor/functional outcomes and (2) stress-related outcomes.

Genital burns are unique and complex injuries that impact patients physically and emotionally. This study investigates the specific impact of genital burns on psychosocial and physical outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX database, encompassing over 117 million patients from U.S. healthcare institutions. Patients with genital burns were identified and categorized into sub-cohorts based on TBSA and burn degree. Propensity score matching and cohort balancing were performed based on age, gender, race, and ethnicity. Outcomes were analyzed both short-term (1 month) and long-term (5 years), focusing on psychiatric and physical aspects. This study identified 3,496 genital burn patients over a 15-year period. Analyses revealed that genital burns significantly increased short-term risk of death (RR: 2.8), anxiety (RR: 2.656), hospitalization (RR: 2.167), and any anxiety, PTSD, or depression (RR: 2.363), and long-term risk of death (RR: 1.658) and pruritus (RR: 1.58) (all p<0.05). Interestingly, genital burn patients showed a lower risk of chronic joint pain compared to other burn injuries (RR: 0.815) (p<0.05). These results occurred independently of the extent of TBSA. Genital burns have a distinctive impact on patients, leading to higher rates of certain psychiatric morbidities and physical complications. This study highlights the need for tailored care and consideration of the unique challenges faced by patients with genital burns, both in the immediate aftermath and in the long term. Understanding the specific impacts of genital burns is vital for healthcare practitioners to develop care strategies and better support for patients recovering from such injuries.

Many military service members and veterans report insomnia after sustaining traumatic brain injury (TBI). Limitations of first-line treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), include availability of qualified clinicians, low completion rates, and cost.

Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in some hallucinogenic "magic mushrooms". Psilocin is the active metabolite of Psilocybin, and it is the subject of several studies for the treatment of psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. As such, the pharmacokinetic properties of psilocin should be evaluated to ensure its safety and efficacy as part of the drug development process. Based on the previously published studies, reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) was tested for psilocin quantification. The analysis, however, showed a major interference in mouse plasma that was not, to the best of our knowledge, reported previously. We, therefore, aimed to identify and separate the interference, using various chromatographic columns, mobile phase conditions, and mass spectrometers (MS) instruments. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system, and a quadrupole-linear ion trap equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source was used in positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Several chromatographic conditions and column chemistries, including C-18 and Phenyl-hexyl were initially tested, and failed to separate the interference. Exact mass measurement and MS/MS analysis were used to determine the structure of the interfering compound, which was confirmed to be tryptophan. Using the identified structure of the interfering compound, a fast and reliable hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)-MS/MS method was developed and validated, that was capable of separating psilocin from the interference while achieving a 0.5 ng/ml lower limit of quantification (LLOQ). The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study where psilocin was orally administered to C57BL/6 mouse subjects. Psilocin concentration in all the analyzed mouse plasma samples was successfully determined.

Modern intensive care has improved survival rates, but emerging evidence suggests a high prevalence of post-intensive care unit (ICU) health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. These symptoms may have a detrimental effect on quality of life and increase mortality. The primary objective of this study is to examine the extent of initiation of antidepressant medication among ICU survivors and identify the factors associated with its usage. The secondary objective is to investigate whether the use of these medications is linked to an increased mortality. The nationwide study cohort included 125,130 ICU survivors admitted between 2010 and 2017. Within the first 3 months after ICU discharge, 7% of patients initiated antidepressant medication, by 1 year 15.5% had started medication. We found no tendency to a decrease during the 2-year follow-up period. Factors associated with antidepressant use included middle age, female sex, psychiatric and somatic comorbid conditions, substance dependence, higher illness severity, and longer ICU stay. Antidepressant users had a higher mortality rate, and deaths due to external causes and suicide were more frequent in this group. This study emphasizes the importance of detecting and addressing depression in ICU survivors to improve their quality of life and reduce mortality rates.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder characterized by excessive fear, hypervigilance, and avoidance of thoughts, situations or reminders of the trauma. Among these symptoms, relatively little is known about the etiology of pathological avoidance. Here we sought to determine whether acute stress influences avoidant behavior in adult male and female rats. We used a stress procedure (unsignaled footshock) that is known to induce long-term sensitization of fear and potentiate aversive learning. Rats were submitted to the stress procedure and, one week later, underwent two-way signaled active avoidance conditioning (SAA). In this task, rats learn to prevent an aversive outcome (shock) by performing a shuttling response when exposed to a warning signal (tone). We found that acute stress significantly enhanced SAA acquisition rate in females, but not males. Female rats exhibited significantly greater avoidance responding on the first day of training relative to controls, reaching similar levels of performance by the second day. Males that underwent the stress procedure showed similar rates of acquisition to controls but exhibited resistance to extinction. This was manifest as both elevated avoidance and intertrial responding across extinction days relative to non-stressed controls, an effect that was not observed in females. In a second experiment, acute stress sensitized footshock unconditioned responses in males, not females. However, males and females exhibited similar levels of stress-enhanced fear learning (SEFL), which was expressed as sensitized freezing to a shock-paired context. Together, these results reveal that acute stress facilitates SAA performance in both male and female rats, though the nature of this effect is different in the two sexes. We did not observe sex differences in SEFL, suggesting that the stress-induced sex difference in performance was selective for instrumental avoidance. Future work will elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the differential effect of stress on instrumental avoidance in male and female rats.

Many past and ongoing conflicts in the world are associated with memories. The role of emphatic memories is however often neglected in conflict solving. Therefore, this narrative review gives a short introduction to the phenomenon of emphatic memories and implications for counteracting dysfunctional effects of emphatic memories.

First responders (FRs) are continuously exposed to critical incidents, considered traumatic events (TEs). This cumulative exposure increases the risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there is no evidence about the relationship between PTSD symptoms and emergency decision-making (EDM). The objective of this study was to examine the EDM of FRs during a virtual reality through the simulation of two emergency scenarios to collect data on the reaction time and the number of incorrect decisions. We also assessed PTSD symptoms, TE, and sociodemographics. The sample included 368 Portuguese FRs, were 295 (80.20%) males and 73 (19.80%) females, with a mean age of 33.96 (  = 9.38). Considering the probable PTSD diagnosis according to the DSM-5, 85 (23.10%) of the FRs met the criteria. These individuals who meet the criteria exhibited higher EDM scores (  = 19.60,  = 5.99) compared to those without probable PTSD (  = 17.87,  = .5.66) ((1, 360) = 5.32,  = .02, partial  = .015). We found that TEs had a direct effect on EDM,  = -.16,  = -3.74,  < .001), and the pathway of trauma-PTSD symptoms-decision-making an indirect effect, β = .02,  = 3.10,  = .002). Individuals exposed to more TEs demonstrated faster and more accurate decision-making in the context of EDM. However, when these individuals developed PTSD symptoms, their decision-making became slower and less accurate. The inclusion of a trauma-informed approach for FRs to prevent individual and job-related consequences is discussed.

Using a case-controlled study including siblings of major depression (MD) and control probands, born 1970-1990 and followed through 2018, we sought to clarify the degree to which the familial liability to MD is reflected in its clinical features, and the pattern of psychiatric disorders at elevated risk in the siblings of MD probands. The study population included full-siblings of 197,309 MD and matched 197,309 control probands. The proband-sibling tetrachoric correlation of for MD was +0.20. Both linear and quadratic effects of younger AAO and number of episodes significantly increased the risk of MD in siblings. Male sex, anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder (AUD), inpatient treatment, psychotic symptoms, severity, and antidepressant prescription in MD probands increased the risk of MD in siblings. Cox proportional hazard models (hazard ratios, 95% CI) revealed a significantly increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (1.82, 1.76-1.88), generalized anxiety disorder (1.79, 1.74-1.85), bipolar disorder (1.78, 1.70-1.85), MD (1.74, 1.72-1.76), obsessive-compulsive disorder (1.72, 1.65-1.80), phobic anxiety disorder (1.71, 1.65-1.76), and panic disorder (1.68, 1.64-1.72) in MD co-siblings. The HRs for AUD (1.64, 1.60-1.68), post-traumatic stress disorder (1.62, 1.59-1.66) were modestly lower, and the lowest was seen for schizophrenia (1.42, 1.30-1.54). The overall pattern of increased risk of these disorders was similar in reared-apart half-siblings and cousins of MD probands. Our findings suggest that MD is familial, and a range of important clinical factors predict its familial liability. The familial liability to MD, mostly due to genetic factors, is shared with a broad range of psychiatric disorders.

Psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, is a significant yet inadequately addressed feature of moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Progress in understanding and treating post-TBI psychopathology may be hindered by limitations associated with conventional diagnostic approaches, specifically the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) offers a promising, transdiagnostic alternative to psychiatric classification that may more effectively capture the experiences of individuals with TBI. However, HiTOP lacks validation in the TBI population. To address this gap, we administered a comprehensive questionnaire battery, including 56 scales assessing homogeneous symptom components and maladaptive traits within HiTOP, to 410 individuals with moderate-severe TBI. We evaluated the reliability and unidimensionality of each scale and revised those with psychometric problems. Using a top-down, exploratory latent variable approach (bass-ackwards modeling), we subsequently constructed a hierarchical model of psychopathological dimensions tailored to TBI. The results showed that, relative to norms, participants with moderate-severe TBI experienced greater problems in the established HiTOP internalizing and detachment spectra, but fewer problems with thought disorder and antagonism. Fourteen of the 56 scales demonstrated psychometric problems, which often appeared reflective of the TBI experience and associated disability. The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology Following Traumatic Brain Injury (HiTOP-TBI) model encompassed broad internalizing and externalizing spectra, splitting into seven narrower dimensions: Detachment, Dysregulated Negative Emotionality, Somatic Symptoms, Compensatory and Phobic Reactions, Self-Harm and Psychoticism, Rigid Constraint, and Harmful Substance Use. This study presents the most comprehensive empirical classification of psychopathology after TBI to date. It introduces a novel, TBI-specific transdiagnostic questionnaire battery and model, which addresses the limitations of conventional DSM and ICD diagnoses. The empirical structure of psychopathology after TBI largely aligned with the established HiTOP model (e.g., a detachment spectrum). However, these constructs need to be interpreted in relation to the unique experiences associated with TBI (e.g., considering the injury's impact on the person's social functioning). By overcoming limitations of conventional diagnostic approaches, the HiTOP-TBI model has the potential to accelerate our understanding of the causes, correlates, consequences, and treatment of psychopathology after TBI.

: Due to limitations in treatment strategies for post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), therapeutic options such as light therapy (LT) have garnered some interest in recent years. We aimed to review the effectiveness of LT in patients with PTSD. : Using PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, the Cochrane database, ClinicalTrials.gov, and PTSDpubs, we systematically searched for papers assessing the effect of LT in PTSD. We evaluated the risk of bias of included studies using the Cochrane handbook, and synthesized our findings following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA 2020). : From 140 initial papers, we included four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one single-arm study. The study sample size ranged between 15 and 82, the mean age (standard deviation) varied between 31.4 (8.8) and 44.9 (11.8) years, and LT was applied for four or six weeks. The risk of bias was low in three studies, and of some concern in the two other trials. Most studies reported no significant differences between LT and placebo regarding effects on subjective (sleep quality and insomnia severity) and objective sleep parameters. LT was associated with a significant improvement in PTSD symptom severity in the single-arm study and two RCTs, as well as a greater retention of extinction learning. Results on depression and anxiety were discrepant. : This review revealed that relevant studies are scarce, with promising findings concerning PTSD symptoms, but inconsistencies for the other parameters. Further research projects are needed to better explore this topic.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most researched psychological therapy for anxiety disorders in adults, and known to be effective in this population. However, it remains unclear whether these results apply to older adults, as most studies include participants between 18 and 55 years of age. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of the available evidence on CBT and third wave approaches for older adults with anxiety and related disorders.

While existing literature on the intersection of trauma and autism is limited, emerging evidence suggests heightened vulnerability of autistic children to the psychological consequences of traumatic events, including an elevated risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, parents of autistic children often experience elevated levels of negative emotional states, compared to parents of typically developing children. This study investigates the impact of terrorism and war on autistic and non-autistic children and their parents, presenting preliminary results from the initial data collection phase of a year-long longitudinal investigation of the experience of autistic children and their parents following Hamas' 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. Data gathered within 30 days of the initial attack reveal that both autistic and non-autistic children exhibited clinically significant post-traumatic stress symptoms, with autistic children demonstrating a more pronounced manifestation. Moreover, parents of autistic children reported significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in the aftermath of the events, compared to an independent cohort of parents of autistic children assessed prior to the crisis. These results underscore the heightened susceptibility of autistic children to post-traumatic stress and the unique challenges confronted by their parents during times of conflict. The study highlights the imperative for tailored support services for autistic children and their families amidst traumatic incidents and stresses the need for further research in comparable contexts globally.

To explore the risk factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic and the construction and validation of risk prediction models.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Compared with males, females are twice as likely to develop PTSD after trauma exposure, and cardiovascular reactivity to stress is a known risk factor for CVD. We aimed to examine hemodynamic responses to acute mental stress in trauma-exposed females with and without a clinical diagnosis of PTSD. We hypothesized that females with PTSD would have higher heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and lower blood flow velocity (BFV) responsiveness compared with controls. We enrolled 21 females with PTSD and 21 trauma-exposed controls. We continuously measured HR using a three-lead electrocardiogram, BP using finger plethysmography, and brachial BFV using Doppler ultrasound. All variables were recorded during 10 min of supine rest, 5 min of mental arithmetic, and 5 min of recovery. Females with PTSD were older, and had higher BMI and higher resting diastolic BP. Accordingly, age, BMI, and diastolic BP were covariates for all repeated measures analyses. Females with PTSD had a blunted brachial BFV response to mental stress (time × group, p = 0.005) compared with controls, suggesting greater vasoconstriction. HR and BP responses were comparable. In conclusion, our results suggest early impairment of vascular function in premenopausal females with PTSD.

Media exposure to graphic images of violence has proliferated in contemporary society, particularly with the advent of social media. Extensive exposure to media coverage immediately after the 9/11 attacks and the Boston Marathon bombings (BMB) was associated with more early traumatic stress symptoms; in fact, several hours of BMB-related daily media exposure was a stronger correlate of distress than being directly exposed to the bombings themselves. Researchers have replicated these findings across different traumatic events, extending this work to document that exposure to graphic images is independently and significantly associated with stress symptoms and poorer functioning. The media exposure-distress association also appears to be cyclical over time, with increased exposure predicting greater distress and greater distress predicting more media exposure following subsequent tragedies. The war in Israel and Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, provides a current, real-time context to further explore these issues as journalists often share graphic images of death and destruction, making media-based graphic images once again ubiquitous and potentially challenging public well-being. For individuals sharing an identity with the victims or otherwise feeling emotionally connected to the Middle East, it may be difficult to avoid viewing these images. Through a review of research on the association between exposure to graphic images and public health, we discuss differing views on the societal implications of viewing such images and advocate for media literacy campaigns to educate the public to identify mis/disinformation and understand the risks of viewing and sharing graphic images with others.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are commonly comorbid mental health disorders. Exercise performed in the natural environment has shown promise in relieving symptoms of each disorder separately; however, the effectiveness has seldom been studied in comorbid populations.

Mental disorders (MDs) are becoming a leading burden in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). As per the World Health Organization's 2022 assessment report, there was a steep increase of 25 % in MDs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early diagnosis of MDs can significantly improve treatment outcome and save disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). In recent times, the application of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL)) has shown promising results in the diagnosis of MDs, and the field has witnessed a huge research output in the form of research publications. Therefore, a bibliometric mapping along with a review of recent advancements is required.

To evaluate the impact of poor sleep quality on occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in trauma patients.

Prolonged grief disorder (PGD), a condition characterized by severe, persistent, and disabling grief, is newly included in ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR. Psychotherapies are among the most recommended treatments for PGD, but which should be considered as first-line treatment needs to be clarified. The purpose of this systematic review and network meta-analysis was to synthesize the available evidence to compare five outcomes of different psychotherapies on PGD in adults and identify the optimal psychotherapy modality to inform clinical decision-making for the treatment of PGD.

Maternity support workers (MSWs) are now a key part of the maternity workforce. They work in environments with potential exposure to traumatic events, but little is known about their rates of exposure or psychological responses.

This article discusses issues related to the use of surfactants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global nature of this crisis has had a significant impact on the lives of people around the world, including their mental health. The introduction of quarantine and «isolation» measures have become one of the measures to control the spread of the disease, but such restrictions have led to various adverse psychological reactions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as cases of self-mutilation and even suicide. All of these factors can negatively affect other aspects of health and lead to increased use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances. Stress, social isolation, the unpredictability of the future, loss of a job or income - all these can be motivating factors for people to turn to alcohol or other substances in search of relaxation or emotional support. However, such strategies are short-term and irrational, since alcohol consumption only worsens the mental state and further increases the risk of developing mental problems.

The extent to which complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) can be conceptualized as a dissociative disorder remains an ongoing debate. This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of dissociative symptoms in people with C-PTSD. We analyzed baseline data from an international randomized controlled trial. A total of 165 intervention seekers who met the ICD-11 criteria for C-PTSD completed standardized self-report measures of trauma, C-PTSD symptoms, dissociative symptoms, depressive symptoms, and work and social impairments. In this sample, only 42.3 % of participants exhibited clinically significant dissociative symptoms. Dissociative symptoms had a unique association with depressive symptoms and work and social impairments in our participants with C-PTSD, even after controlling for trauma exposure and C-PTSD symptoms. The data does not support the theory that C-PTSD is a dissociative disorder. However, the findings highlight the importance of recognizing dissociation in people with C-PTSD.

This study examined sex differences for health risk factors as potential mediators in the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Dysmenorrhea, the most common gynecological pain syndrome reported in women, is understudied in refugee communities. In addition, the association between dysmenorrhea self-medication and mental health symptoms in this population is poorly understood. We aimed to examine whether the use of dysmenorrhea analgesic self-medications and other clinical factors are associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and insomnia severity in female war refugees residing in Zaatari Camp. This study followed a cross-sectional design and was performed on a cohort of women with predefined inclusion criteria. The severity of PTSD, depression, anxiety and insomnia were assessed using Davidson Trauma Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the General Anxiety Disorder-7, and the Arabic version of the Insomnia Severity Index, respectively. Data were analysed from 386 participants. Using OTC paracetamol was significantly associated with higher PTSD severity (B=4.16, t= 2.43, p=0.01), and severe depression (OR=1.88, 95% CI= 1.07-3.28, p=0.03), while OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was significantly associated with severe insomnia (OR=1.62, 95% CI= 1.05-2.49, p= 0.02). In conclusion, self-medication with analgesics was correlated with poor mental health; close medical and psychiatric follow-up are required to supervise pain self-medication and implement non-pharmacological strategies to manage dysmenorrhea in this fragile community.

Surviving physical trauma can have a large impact on one's daily life. Patients are at increased risk for poor physical health, psychological complaints, and problems in role functioning - which is often experienced simultaneously. The present study explores the interconnectedness of physical, psychological, and role functioning during the first two years post-injury, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally from a network perspective.

The pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN) has been hypothesized to involve several biological systems. However, reliable biomarkers for AN have yet to be established. This study was aimed to identify statistically significant and clinically meaningful peripheral biomarkers associated with AN. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies published in English from inception until 30 June 2022. We conducted two-level random-effects meta-analyses to examine the difference between AN and comparison groups across 52 distinct biomarkers and found that acylated ghrelin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX), cholesterol, cortisol, des-acyl ghrelin, ghrelin, growth hormone (GH), obestatin, and soluble leptin receptor levels were significantly higher in cases of AN compared with those in non-AN controls. Conversely, C-reactive protein (CRP), CD3 positive, CD8, creatinine, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), leptin, luteinizing hormone, lymphocyte, and prolactin levels were significantly lower in AN compared with those in non-AN controls. Our findings indicate that peripheral biomarkers may be linked to the pathophysiology of AN, such as processes of adaptation to starvation. Scientific investigation into peripheral biomarkers may ultimately yield breakthroughs in personalized clinical care for AN.

Identifying factors that impact psychological treatment outcomes in older people with common mental health problems (CMHP) has important implications for supporting healthier and longer lives. The aim of the present study was to synthesise the evidence on predictors of psychological treatment outcomes in older people (aged 65+). PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO were searched and 3929 articles were identified and screened, with 42 studies (N = 7978, M age = 68.9, SD age = 2.85) included: depression: k = 21, anxiety: k = 11, panic disorder: k = 3, mixed anxiety & depression: k = 3, PTSD: k = 2, various CMHP: k = 2, with CBT being the most common treatment (71%). The review identified 28 factors reported as significant predictors of treatment outcome in at least one study, across different domains: psychosocial (n = 9), clinical (n = 6), treatment-related (n = 6), socio-demographic (n = 4), neurobiological (n = 3). Homework completion was the most consistent predictor of positive treatment outcome. Baseline symptom severity was the most frequently studied significant predictor and across all conditions, with higher baseline symptom severity largely linked to worse treatment outcomes. No significant effects on treatment outcome were reported for gender, income and physical comorbidities. For a large majority of factors evidence was mixed or inconclusive. Further studies are required to identify factors affecting psychological treatment outcomes, which will be important for the development of personalised treatment approaches.

We aimed to assess the mental health of adults living in Ukraine one year after onset of the Russo-Ukrainian war, along with quality of life and coping strategies. Quota sampling was used to collect online survey data from 2364 adults aged 18-79 years living in Ukraine from April 5, 2023 to May 15, 2023. Among adults living in Ukraine, 14.4 % had probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), another 8.9 % had complex PTSD (CPTSD), 44.2 % had probable depressive disorder, 23.1 % had anxiety disorder and 38.6 % showed significant loneliness. In adjusted models, the number of trauma events experienced during the war showed a dose-response association with PTSD/CPTSD and was associated with depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. Quality of life domains, particularly physical quality of life, were negatively associated with PTSD/CPTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and number of trauma events. Maladaptive coping was positively associated with depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD/CPTSD and loneliness. All quality of life domains were positively associated with using adaptive coping strategies. Mental health disorders are highly prevalent in adults living in Ukraine one year into the war. Policy and services can promote adaptive coping strategies to improve mental health and quality of life for increased resilience during war.

During the COVID-19 pandemic healthcare workers were repeatedly exposed to traumatic experiences. Facing life-threatening events and repeated exposure to traumatic duty-related situations may cause posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While tonic immobility has been considered a key vulnerability factor for PTSD, little is known about this relationship in the long term. In this study, we aimed to determine whether peritraumatic tonic immobility triggered by COVID-19-related trauma predicts PTSD symptom severity six to twelve months later. We conducted an online longitudinal survey using the PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Tonic Immobility Scale to assess PTSD symptoms and the tonic immobility response, respectively. Multivariate regression models revealed a significant association between tonic immobility and PTSD symptoms. Each one-unit increase in the tonic immobility score was associated with a 1.5 % increase in the average PTSD symptom score six to twelve months after the traumatic event that triggered the tonic immobility. Furthermore, participants who showed significant or extreme levels of tonic immobility were 3.5 times or 7.3 times more likely to have a probable PTSD diagnosis, respectively. Hence, peritraumatic tonic immobility seems to have a lasting deleterious effect on mental health. Psychological treatment for health care professionals is urgent, and psychoeducation about the involuntary, biological nature of tonic immobility is essential to reduce suffering.

The purpose of this study was to explore potential similarities and differences in the ways boys and girls appraise and interpret their traumatic experiences, and better understand how gender roles, performance, and socialization processes may impact trauma experiences, appraisals, and narratives within the context of trauma-focused treatment. We used thematic analysis to analyze the trauma narratives of youth ( = 16) ages 8-16 who had experienced multiple types ( = 5.38) of child maltreatment and who were receiving Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address clinically elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms. Four themes emerged: variations in the content of negative cognitions, differences in relational emotion, adoption of socially prescribed gender roles, and symptom differences. Although many similarities existed in youth's trauma narratives, differences emerged that point to the importance of social context and the ways gender role expectations and socialization processes influence youth's appraisal of and responses to traumatic events. Findings indicate the importance of considering distress tolerance, relational emotion, gender identity development, and role socialization within the treatment milieu.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spread worldwide and brought unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems. Healthcare workers experienced tremendous pressure and psychological issues.

We conducted a systematic review evaluating the efficacy of rivastigmine augmentation for treatment-refractory posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. The databases Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE were searched using key words: 'rivastigmine' OR 'Exelon' OR 'rivastigmine augmentation' OR 'Exelon augmentation' AND 'posttraumatic stress disorder*' OR 'post-traumatic stress disorder*' OR 'PTSD' OR 'combat disorder*' OR 'post-traumatic symptoms'. The asterisk specified plural forms of the relevant word. Four papers were identified, comprising one double-blind randomised controlled trial, one non-controlled open trial, one case series (presenting three case studies), and one paper with two case studies. The randomised controlled trial found no statistically significant difference in efficacy, using the PTSD CheckList-Military Version as the relevant outcomes measure, between the active add-on rivastigmine interventions and placebo or treatment as usual. The open trial, although reporting relatively positive outcomes, had a weak study design and lacked reporting of key information, including participant sex and age and pre-rivastigmine PTSD measures. The assessment of efficacy was based on participants' reporting of subjective benefits, and clinician-rating using a Clinical Global Impression, rather than established PTSD assessments scales. Although the five case studies reported improvement in PTSD symptoms, there were confounding factors and limitations in clinical and demographic data, warranting caution regarding attributed benefits. There is a lack of methodologically robust evidence supporting the efficacy of add-on rivastigmine for the treatment of refractory PTSD. Additional research may help in further evaluating its possible clinical efficacy.

Despite documented alterations in future thinking in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), our understanding of how individuals with PTSD make future-oriented decisions is limited. We tested the hypothesis that increased discounting in association with PTSD reflects failure to spontaneously envision future rewarding situations.

Israel is currently under a state of continued unrest and state of war. There has been an influx of financial aid to treat the mental health fallout both from within Israel and abroad. Despite increased research into resilience, treatment and wide-scale interventions, there is a concern that this is not significantly influencing mental health aid allocation. This letter to the editor aims to describe the current situation and address current difficulties in regard to the relevant literature from recent conflicts and national traumatic events. A consortium of national and international trauma experts pooled together their knowledge to produce a working statement based on evidence from clinical and research findings. As opposed to wider, short-term psychological interventions which have limited long-term proven efficacy, lessons from previous war zones, wide-scale exposure to trauma and current war-torn countries highlight the importance of targeting and assessment, addressing barriers to care, strengthening existing systems and promoting community resilience and care. In addition to acute care, funding should be allocated to long-term care, enhancing treatment accessibility and community follow-up and additionally support long-term research to assess effectiveness and contribute to international knowledge.

Many youth with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) do not receive evidence-based care. Internet- and Mobile-Based Interventions (IMIs) comprising evidence-based trauma-focused components can address this gap, but research is scarce. Thus, we investigated the feasibility of a trauma-focused IMI for youth with PTSS. In a one-arm non-randomized prospective proof-of-concept study, 32 youths aged 15-21 years with clinically relevant PTSS (CATS ≥ 21) received access to a trauma-focused IMI with therapist guidance, comprising nine sessions on an eHealth platform accessible via web-browser. We used a feasibility framework assessing recruitment capability, sample characteristics, data collection, satisfaction, acceptability, study management abilities, safety aspects, and efficacy of the IMI in PTSS severity and related outcomes. Self-rated assessments took place pre-, mid-, post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up and clinician-rated assessments at baseline and post-intervention. The sample mainly consisted of young adult females with interpersonal trauma and high PTSS levels (CATS, = 31.63, = 7.64). The IMI sessions were found useful and comprehensible, whereas feasibility of trauma processing was perceived as difficult. Around one-third of participants (31%) completed the IMI's eight core sessions. The study completer analysis showed a significant reduction with large effects in self-rated PTSS at post-treatment [(21) = 4.27; < .001; = 0.88] and follow-up [(18) = 3.83; = .001; = 0.84], and clinician-rated PTSD severity at post-treatment [(21) = 4.52; < .001; = 0.93]. The intention-to-treat analysis indicated significant reductions for PTSS at post-treatment and follow-up with large effect sizes (= -0.97- -1.02). All participants experienced at least one negative effect, with the most common being the resurfacing of unpleasant memories (= 17/22, 77%). The study reached highly burdened young adults. The IMI was accepted in terms of usefulness and comprehensibility but many youths did not complete all sessions. Exploration of strategies to improve adherence in trauma-focused IMIs for youth is warranted, alongside the evaluation of the IMI's efficacy in a subsequent randomized controlled trial.

Comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) is surrounded by diagnostic controversy and although various effective treatments exist, dropout and nonresponse are high. By estimating the network structure of comorbid PTSD and BPD symptoms, the current study illustrates how the network perspective offers tools to tackle these challenges. The sample comprised of 154 patients with a PTSD diagnosis and BPD symptoms, assessed by clinician-administered interviews. A regularised partial correlation network was estimated using the GLASSO algorithm in R. Central symptoms and bridge symptoms were identified. The reliability and accuracy of network parameters were determined through bootstrapping analyses. PTSD and BPD symptoms largely clustered into separate communities. Intrusive memories, physiological cue reactivity and loss of interest were the most central symptoms, whereas amnesia and suicidal behaviour were least central. Present findings suggest that PTSD and BPD are two distinct, albeit weakly connected disorders. Treatment of the most central symptoms could lead to an overall deactivation of the network, while isolated symptoms would need more specific attention during therapy. Further experimental, longitudinal research is needed to confirm these hypotheses. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03833453.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1303123.].

The implementation trial BESTFORCAN aims to evaluate the dissemination of Trauma-Focused Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) for children and adolescents in Germany with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) after child abuse and neglect (CAN) with a focus on supervision. This update to the study protocol outlines changes made due to practical reasons in the course of the ongoing trial while maintaining methodological quality. The amendments to the original study protocol comprise (1) a more refined operationalisation of the primary outcome sufficiently adherent TF-CBT therapy (SATT), (2) changes in the study sites and (3) additional inclusion of one post-gradual psychotherapy training institute. The adaptions to the original study protocol ensured high methodological quality through the transparent presentation of protocol modification: ensuring the recruitment of participating psychotherapists in training by including a further post-gradual training institute as well as an adaption of the measurement of SATT with high external validity. The objectives, diagnostic set, and secondary outcomes remained unimpaired by the amendment. Therefore, we expect the trial to provide evidence for the effect of model-specific trauma-focused supervision on the implementation outcomes of TF-CBT as compared to supervision as usual. German Clinical Trials Register identifier: DRKS00020516..

This cross-sectional study has assessed and compared symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among one refugee group during flight (in Serbia) and another refugee group after flight (in Norway). Results indicate high levels of mental distress in both samples of refugees (Serbia: = 100, Norway: = 78). Participants in Serbia reported higher levels of symptoms than the participants in Norway. Moreover, the study found that and correlated with mental distress among the participants.

Ketamine has emerged as a promising treatment alternative for the management of chronic pain. Despite encouraging findings in civilian populations, and favourable results from trials examining its efficacy in military populations, there is still a dearth of information pointing to optimal specifications related to ketamine administration for pain, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military populations. This meta-analysis and systematic review synthesised available evidence on the effectiveness, tolerability, and feasibility of ketamine in the management of chronic pain and mental health conditions in military populations.

Developmental stuttering (DS) is a neurodevelopmental speech-motor disorder characterized by symptoms such as blocks, repetitions, and prolongations. Persistent DS often has a significant negative impact on quality of life, and interventions for it have limited efficacy. Herein, we briefly review existing research on the neurophysiological underpinnings of DS -specifically, brain metabolic and default mode/social-cognitive networks (DMN/SCN) anomalies- arguing that psychedelic compounds might be considered and investigated (e.g., in randomized clinical trials) for treatment of DS. The neural background of DS is likely to be heterogeneous, and some contribution from genetically determinants of metabolic deficiencies in the basal ganglia and speech-motor cortical regions are thought to play a role in appearance of DS symptoms, which possibly results in a cascade of events contributing to impairments in speech-motor execution. In persistent DS, the difficulties of speech are often linked to a series of associated aspects such as social anxiety and social avoidance. In this context, the SCN and DMN (also influencing a series of fronto-parietal, somato-motor, and attentional networks) may have a role in worsening dysfluencies. Interestingly, brain metabolism and SCN/DMN connectivity can be modified by psychedelics, which have been shown to improve clinical evidence of some psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.) associated with psychological constructs such as rumination and social anxiety, which also tend to be present in persistent DS. To date, while there have been no controlled trials on the effects of psychedelics in DS, anecdotal evidence suggests that these agents may have beneficial effects on stuttering and its associated characteristics. We suggest that psychedelics warrant investigation in DS.

If hypnosis means contact to the unconscious to modulate psychological and physiological functions by means of suggestions, and if this is facilitated by attenuation of the critical mind, then the question arises as to whether suggestions also have an effect when waking consciousness is otherwise eliminated, namely by coma or anesthesia. A prerequisite would be perception, which actually is evidenced by reports of patients after traumatic brain injury, artificial coma, resuscitation or general anesthesia. Moreover, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently observed after these medical situations is hardly explainable without some sort of awareness under such conditions. Even advanced neurophysiological diagnostic cannot yet rule out consciousness or sensory processing. Especially reference to perception during unconsciousness is given by the results of a recent multicenter study on the effects of hypnotic communication with patients under controlled adequate deep general anesthesia. The observed reductions in incidence and severity of postoperative pain, opioid use, nausea and vomiting cannot be explained by the reaction of a few but only by a considerable proportion of patients. This leads to a strong plea for a more careful treatment of unconscious patients in the emergency room, operating theater or intensive care unit, for the abandonment of the restriction of therapeutic communication to awake patients, and for new aspects of communication and hypnosis research. Obviously, loss of consciousness does not protect against psychological injury, and continuation of communication is needed. But how and what to talk to unconscious patients? Generally addressing the unconscious mind with suggestions that generally exert their effects unconsciously, hypnotic communication appears to be the adequate language. Especially addressing meaningful topics, as derived from the basic psychological needs and known stressors, appears essential. With respect to negative effects by negative or missing communication or to the proposed protective and supporting effects of therapeutic communication with patients clinically rated as unconscious, the role of consciousness is secondary. For the effects of perceived signals and suggestions it does not matter whether consciousness is absent, or partial, or unrecognized present.

Childhood maltreatment is a risk factor for developing multiple forms of psychopathology, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety. Yet, the mechanisms linking childhood maltreatment and these psychopathologies remain less clear. Here we examined whether self-stigma, the internalization of negative stereotypes about one's experiences, mediates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and symptom severity of depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Childhood trauma survivors (= 685, age = 36.8) were assessed for childhood maltreatment, self-stigma, and symptoms of depression, PTSD, and anxiety. We used mediation analyses with childhood maltreatment as the independent variable. We then repeated these mediation models separately for childhood abuse and neglect, as well as the different subtypes of childhood maltreatment. Self-stigma significantly mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression, PTSD, and anxiety symptoms. For sexual abuse - but not physical or emotional abuse - a significant mediation effect of self-stigma emerged on all symptom types. For childhood neglect, self-stigma significantly mediated the relationship between both emotional and physical neglect and all symptom types. Our cross-sectional study suggests that different types of childhood maltreatment experiences may relate to distinct mental health problems, potentially linked to increased self-stigma. Self-stigma may serve as an important treatment target for survivors of childhood abuse and neglect.

It has been suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic was a potentially traumatic occurrence that may have induced generalized anxiety and discomfort, particularly in susceptible populations like individuals with mental illnesses. The therapeutic approach known as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been shown to be successful in helping patients process traumatic events and restore wellbeing. Nevertheless, little is known about the precise processes through which EMDR fosters symptom recovery.

Auditory-verbal hallucinatory experiences (AVH) have a 12% prevalence in the general pediatric population. Literature reports a higher risk of developing AVH in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The persistence of AVHs during adolescence represents a risk of evolution into psychotic disorders. Social cognition and emotional markers could be considered prodromes markers of this evolution. The objectives of this prospective observational study are to observe social cognition and emotional markers correlation with the presence and persistence of AVH over two years and with the evolution of PTSD and psychotic diagnosis.

The case concerns the alleged failure by the resisting administration to fulfill obligations arising from the contract and employment relationship, as well as the violation of safety regulations leading to the workplace accident reported by an Airforce Sergeant. Following the accident, the soldier complains of developing barotraumatic hearing loss with tinnitus and reactive post-traumatic stress disorder to the traumatic event. The case provides an opportunity to analyze the relevance of forensic medical assessment and its integration with psychodiagnostic examination for the correct nosographic classification aimed at evaluating and quantifying biological damage.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the number of unhoused individuals in Asheville, North Carolina resulting in more tent encampments.Understanding the physical, mental, and socially determined health characteristics associated with being unhoused can help guide stakeholders with policy development, healthcare program planning, and funding decisions to support unhoused individuals.

The authors investigated parent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with parenting behaviors of parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. An electronic survey was distributed to parents (N = 103). The results showed that they were experiencing elevated anxiety, depression, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. A combined model demonstrated that parental distress was significantly associated with depression and with parental reports of symptoms indicating significantly higher distress. Parental distress was also significantly associated with parenting strategies: Parents who endorsed positive strategies reported significantly lower levels of distress, while parents who endorsed negative strategies reporting significantly higher levels. It was found that screening protocols to identify parents in need of support are crucial, particularly among the parent population considered in the present study. Additionally, access to mental health services and evidence-based positive parenting programs is essential.

Special Operations Forces service members (SOF) are regularly exposed to traumatic and concussive events, increasing the prevalence of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, shortening potential years of service.

Trauma-focused treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are effective for many patients. However, relapse may occur when acquired extinction memories fail to generalize beyond treatment contexts. A subgroup of PTSD patients - potentially with substantial exposure to early-life adversity (ELA) - show dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which results in lower cortisol levels. Glucocorticoids, including cortisol, appear to facilitate strength and generalization of emotional memories. We describe the protocol of an integrated PTSD study. We investigate (A) associations between HPA-axis dysregulation, ELA, epigenetic markers, and PTSD treatment outcome (observational study); and (B) effects of exogenous glucocorticoids on strength and generalization of extinction memories and associated neural mechanisms [pharmacological intervention study with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)]. The objective is to provide proof of concept that PTSD patients with HPA-axis dysregulation often experienced ELA and may show improved strength and generalization of extinction learning after glucocorticoid administration. The observational study (= 160 PTSD group, = 30 control group) assesses ELA, follow-up PTSD symptoms, epigenetic markers, and HPA-axis characteristics (salivary cortisol levels during low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and socially evaluated cold-pressor test). The pharmacological intervention study (= 80 PTSD group, with and without HPA-axis dysregulation) is a placebo-controlled fMRI study with a crossover design. To investigate strength and generalization of extinction memories, we use a differential fear acquisition, extinction, and extinction recall task with spatial contexts within a virtual environment. Prior to extinction learning, 20 mg hydrocortisone or placebo is administered. During next-day recall, strength of the extinction memory is determined by recovery of skin conductance and pupil dilation differential responding, whereas generalization is assessed by comparing responses between different spatial contexts. The integrated study described in the current protocol paper could inform a personalized treatment approach in which these PTSD patients may receive glucocorticoids as a treatment enhancer in trauma-focused therapies. The research project is registered in the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials (EudraCT) database, https://eudract.ema.europa.eu/, EudraCT number 2020-000712-30.

Policymakers, health insurers, and health care providers are becoming increasingly interested in cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA's) when choosing between possible treatment alternatives, as costs for mental health care have been increasing in recent years.