bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persian talismans and psychology
Authors: Ghaffarinejad A. , Estilai F.
Published: May 2011

Talisman is writing on metal, paper or animals skin which is a collection of diagrams, words, numbers and amazing patterns. Talismans usually are an illegible writings and not comprehensible for everyone.

Talismans have had an important role in ordinary life and interpersonal relations of Iranians since the years.

These talismans have used for making kindness, removing the evil eye effect, marriage, birth and…

Despite, these are not studied scientifically and this question that talismans actually are archetype has no answer yet.

Archetypes are a collection of perception and over perception which a group inherits. They are simple pictures and have dynamic process of collective unconscious.

In this view, the talismans are a type of archetypes; they are natural process frequently repeat and have relation with inner and outer events of human's life.

Major archetypes are Self, Shadow, Anima and Animus. In this article we try finding some of these archetypes in texts and pictures of ancient Iranian talismans base on Carl Gustav Jung psychology by using images and explain them.
Philosophy and psychiatry: An analysis and discussion of the epistemology of affective disorders
Authors: Hankir A.K.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Psychiatric enterprise is inextricably bound to philosophical inquiry. Clinical practice, psychiatric theorizing and mental health policy each inevitably engage philosophical ideas. Despite this, psychiatry still cleaves to its traditional self-conception as a medical subspecialty. The purpose of this poster is to expose the philosophical presuppositions inherent within psychiatry and to highlight the need for philosophical approaches to this branch of medicine.

Methods

A literature search was conducted along with a review of Jennifer Radden's canon The Philosophy of Psychiatry. The interrelatedness of psychiatry and philosophy was elucidated by analysing and discussing the epistemology of affective disorders.

Results

My research reveals that the philosophical literature on depression proceeds along three main paradigms: the moral, the medical, and the social/political. Much of contemporary literature on depressive illness in philosophy centres on the moral and medical approaches to clinical depression. These two paradigms clash, the former being concerned with morality and the latter with therapy. According to proponents of the moral paradigm, depression may be a legitimate manifestation of truths about a sufferer's situation whereas advocates of the medical model propose that depression is merely a medical condition that needs medical attention and treatment. The social/political approach uses melancholia as an analytical category of social and political systems, rather than individuals.

Discussion

Philosophical research on a psychiatric illness repeatedly demonstrates that the field is essentially interdisciplinary. The strength of this interdisciplinary work is that many important minds unite to think through the crucial questions that depressive illness poses for humanity.
The united new politics theory could cure the mankind and safeguard the health world
Authors: Han-You X.
Published: May 2011

The mankind is striving for peace and health. Because the social and politic influence can cause diseases. The unstable world has been causing bad impact on the health level. The differences of philosophy have been bringing out the unstable world and bad health.

There is a new breakthrough politics theory, all the countries are communism beded, was first concluded by the author. The new theory is being supported by lots of facts. The new theory may prevent worldwide war and bleeding and promote health, peace and development around the world. The world has been being divided and confronted by communism and capitalism. It is known to all that the politic system of China is so called mainly communism. But lots of facts indicate that the Americans led developed countries have been behaving communisms. So as the other developed countries.

Though the Americans led developed countries do not consider communism as their philosophy. In fact, they are the new types of communism countries. The new breakthrough politics theory can pave the way for peace and development around the world and prevent worldwide from war and bleeding. If we adopted to the new politics theory. The world would be better and better. The constantly bad social and politic influence on health of mankind could be prevented and cured. The united new politics theory could cure the mankind and safeguard the health world. The author is urging the policymakers, politicians around the world adopt the united new politics theory, cure the mankind!
Development of the pilot's image: From pathological to normal
Authors: Lyssakova E. , Lyssakov N.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Researches of the human factor in dangerous professions are actual because it raise reliability of professional activity in extra-risk conditions.

Objectives

We consider that image of the professional is an important part of each profession, its formation should be carried out by science means.

Aims

During the period when aviation was as a show (1909–1912) image of the pilots with pathological characteristics: 1) a genetic pathology: «people-birds»; 2) a psychic pathology: «people-suicides» dominated.

Methods

During investigation we applied an archival method, a biographic method, a method of the analysis of the prose, poetry devoted to Russian aviation.

Results

With the beginning of the organization of professional selection and vocational training based on aviation medicine, aviation psychology and aviation pedagogy image of the pilot has got characteristics of adequacy to norms of a flyinq profession. By the 1930s process of formation of scientifically well-founded image of the pilot has come to the end. It is necessary to notice that the image of the astronaut at once constructed on a scientific basis, has been deprived of pathological signs.

Conclusions

Hence, the medicine, psychology, pedagogy are good image-makers of the professional and profession. These sciences should be developed and should be constructed on a common philosophical basis.
A new approach to the history of psychiatry
Authors: Ramalho R.
Published: May 2011

The concepts scientific progress or scientific advancement refer to a directionality of the evolution of the theoretical and practical core of a science. Beneath these concepts the notion of change is submerged in that directionality. The science of medicine framed its history in this notion of progress or advancement. By these means, it is easy to understand how the physician and the general population perceive the current medical model as the result of centuries and millennia of the mentioned progress. Psychiatry, a medical science, is no exception to this concept. This paper has the intention of introducing the history of medicine and psychiatry as a succession of changes, without a particular directionality by contextualizing the successive theories and practices as well as the transitions between models, up until the current medical science model. The objective being to demystify one of the concepts that could work for the inertia of change in the medical and the psychiatric science, in the case where doing so would be considered appropriate.
Towards an interdisciplinary neurophilosophy
Authors: Tretter F.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Science (e.g. neuroscience) aims to “explain” phenomena (e.g. consciousness). Philosophy of science analyses the structure, consistency, range etc. of the respective scientific “theories” (e.g. philosophy of physics).

Objectives

A philosophy of neuroscience could be established (Neurophilosophy) as neurobiology claims to “explain” mental states and processes. Some (analytical) philosophers (e.g. Hacker) criticize brain theories because of mereological fallacies (e.g. not the brain/neurons can “decide”, but a person), misconceptions (e.g. “information”), implicit Cartesianism etc. But also some neuroscientists devaluate philosophy (e.g. Crick, Edelman, Zeki). Obviously, a deep gap in communication between neuroscience and philosophy exists.

Aims and methods

We propose an integrated systematic programme of “interdisciplinary neurophilosophy” that could help by integrating findings of philosophy, psychology, neurobiology and systems science.

Results

For instance, it is useful to talk about the “brain” as an extremely heterogeneous interconnected system that encompasses the problem of “dynamic complexity” and to use views of “systems science” and/or “computational science” in order to understand the phenomenology of network-based neural processing and coding. Also more detailed medical/neurobiological definitions of the “conscious brain” (e.g. probably excluding the cerebellum) are important for the brain-mind debate. Additionally, psychological and psychiatric categories have to be reviewed with the aim of a functional language.

Conclusions

An institutionalized multidisciplinary neurophilosophy will help to proceed in brain-mind debate.
The philosophical underpinnings of the Cognitive-Behavioural approach to depression
Authors: Varga S.
Published: May 2011

After the “cognitive revolution” the Cognitive-Behavioural Model has become something like the predominant paradigm in understanding and treating depression and range of other conditions. First, I will argue that such approach is in part based on misleading philosophical assumptions concerning the relation between emotions and beliefs and the nature of mental states. Second, drawing on new developments in the philosophy and neuroscience of emotions, I will attempt to construct more coherent theoretical framework for understanding depressive experience and work out some of the practical consequences.
First impressions within the Gaze Encounter
Authors: Wilson D.R.
Published: May 2011

Eye contact, as an encounter between two conscious and self-conscious human beings, and in advance of any word being spoken, appears to have the remarkable capacity to accurately (Gladwell, 2005) form the feelings and the meaning-content that structures our interpretation of Others as more or less perfect or different versions of ourselves (e.g. “People find out I’m an actress and I see that ‘whore’ look flicker across their eyes” [Rachel Weisz]).

With a primary focus on ‘the novel’ “as an intense experience of prolonged intimacy with another consciousness” (Lodge, 2002), this paper will seek to analyse and discuss the underpinning concepts and philosophical ideas, together with any prevailing psychological assumptions that relate to the content of The Gaze Encounter. More precisely, what occurs in that moment between the “before we are and what we were” (Lowell, 1992); in that moment when all kinds of assumptions and inferences, as well as judgements and decisions are made, usually by both characters, about the Other's ‘inner truth’, sanity, or essential being?

This paper seeks to excavate those base and mainly unconscious physical sensations that form the basis of more or less conscious feelings that, then, generate decisions about The Other; frequently, before a word is spoken.

The Heuristic research methodology (Moustakas, 1990) will be employed throughout. The results will establish a more robust relationship between sensations/feelings/decision-making.

The Conclusions will either support of undermine Rogers’ (1957) concept of ‘unconditional positive regard’. DRW
Trauma therapeutic approach through “An Algerian Experience”
Authors: Bouchaib C.C.
Published: May 2011

The purpose of our study which lasted four years through a concomitant psychological measures of two cases “P.T.S.D”, is to try to highlight, beyond their apparent similarity, the impact nature on their lives, by mean of plural therapeutic approach within a new care process, invented carefully almost daily by a group of young voluntary nursing auxiliaries within Psychological - Social and Medical Association of Tebessa which our patients joined voluntary at a crucial moment of their disorders where their existential prognostics seemed definitively compromised…. Our need to talk about our experience is not justified by a dangerous pretension of us to claim any originality or recognition. Our therapeutic strategy was neither a gratifying mission nor an achievement in itself. It was imposed to our team as a real rescue operation without consultation, with all the potential uncertainties, deterioration, coming either from patients or members of the medical team, themselves!!

A matter of interest, foreign colleagues considered as leading light of humanitarian action recommended to us to imprison one of them in asylum for life as he was very dangerous.

…Apparently, they had good intention and may be they were right trying to reason us. However, we persisted in taking all risks of such rescue operation; without even a legal cover to protect us from possible harmful consequences of our daily daring!! May be it was our alone merit !!
Mood spectrum symptoms and adult separation anxiety in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder and/or Complicated Grief
Authors: Carmassi C. , Socci C. , Pergentini I. , Corsi M. , Massimetti E. , Perugi G. , Dell’Osso L.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Complicated grief (CG) is currently under consideration for inclusion in DSM-V and a major issue is whether it can be differentiated from major depression (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Objectives

There is evidence on the role of childhood but not separation anxiety as a significant risk factor for CG, and no study compared CG and PTSD patients with respect to these features.

Aims

To compare adult separation anxiety in patients with PTSD versus CG or both conditions. Further, to investigate the possible impact of mood spectrum symptoms in the same samples.

Methods

A total sample of 116 patients (66 PTSD, 22 CG and 28 with CG+PTSD) was recruited. Assessments included: the SCID-I/P, the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27), the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) and the Mood Spectrum-Self Report (MOODS-SR) lifetime version.

Results

CG was strongly associated with female gender (8:1). MDD comorbidity was more common among patients with CG while bipolar disorder was highest among those with PTSD+CG. Patients with both CG and PTSD reported significantly higher ASA_27 (p = 0.008) scores than patients with either CG or PTSD alone. Patients with both diagnoses or PTSD alone reported significantly (p = 0.02) higher scores on the manic component of the MOODS-SR. No significant differences were reported in the WSAS scores.

Conclusions

Our results support differences between CG and PTSD, important to consideration of including CG as a new disorder in DSM-V.
Full and partial PTSD among young adult survivors after the l’aquila 2009 earthquake: Gender differences
Authors: Dell’Osso L. , Carmassi C. , Massimetti E. , Pergentini I. , Corsi M. , Socci C. , Capanna C. , Stratta P. , Rossi A.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Earthquakes are one of the most frequently occurring natural disasters and lot of studies have been conducted on exposed populations, particularly to evaluate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). On April 6th 2009, the town of L’Aquila, central Italy, was struck by an earthquake, with a strength of 5.9 on the Richter scale, and 309 people have died, 1600 were injuried and more than 65000 were displaced.

Objectives

To investigate the impact of PTSD in a sample of L’Aquila's people.

Aims

To evaluate the prevalence rates of PTSD, either full-blown or partial, among 512 students attending the last year of high school in L’Aquila, 10 months after the earthquake.

Methods

Assessments included the trauma and loss spectrum-self report (TALS-SR) and the Impact of Event Scale (IES). Gender differences in the symptoms reported were investigated. Partial PTSD is defined as the presence of symptoms in the DSM-IV Criterion B and C or D for PTSD diagnosis.

Results

Our results showed the presence of PTSD in 192 (37.5%) of the students examined, with significantly (p = .000) higher rates in women than men (N = 120, 51.7% and N = 72, 25.7%, respectively). Moreover, 153 (29.9%) students reported partial PTSD (75, 32.3% women and 78, 27.9% men respectively). Significantly higher PTSD symptoms were reported by women with respect to men.

Conclusions

Our results show high rates of full or partial PTSD in adolescents survived to L’Aquila's earthquake. Women resulted more affected than men. These results highlight the need to carefully explore these conditions.
Sexual abuse from the partner significantly increases the occurrence of PTSD symptoms
Authors: Dabkowska M.
Published: May 2011

The aim of the study was to assess the influence and intensity of factors responsible for emergence of PTSD symptoms among the victims of domestic violence, especially sexual. Study group consisted of 110 women, in the age between 18 and 65; 51 of them have exhibited symptoms and increased symptomatic presence of PTSD.

Methods

Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) questionnaire was used.

Results

No less than 88.1% of studied women have demonstrated a moderate increase of PTSD symptoms. A clear correlation was discovered between the intensity of PTSD and the length of the relationship with the perpetrator. Significant increase in PTSD symptoms was shown among victims of sexual violence. In particular, PTSD symptoms from the avoidance group were significantly more apparent among women, who have suffered sexual abuse from their partners. In contrast to those who were victims of domestic violence not sexual in nature, the women who experienced sexual violence from their partners have displayed noteworthy increase in the occurrence of PTSD symptoms, especially in the sphere of emotional numbness, incapability to love and weep, and hopelessness to ever achieve life goals. More than the average, they have revealed a physical reaction to the memory of violent sexual abuse, as well as exhibited remoteness and detachment from the society.

Conclusions

PTSD symptoms from the avoidance group were most associated with the sexual violence. Victims of this type of violence have experienced emotional numbness and hopelessness in relation to their future in particular.
The role of childhood traumatic events in fear of pain related behaviours in adulthood
Authors: Dragkioti E. , Mavreas V. , Damigos D. , Kotrotsiou E. , Gouva M.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Traumatic experiences during childhood may contribute to somatizing fear and anxiety related pain behaviour.

Objective

This study tested the role of childhood traumatic/stressful events on adult fear related pain behaviours.

Aim

The aim was to investigate the differences in fear of pain, anxiety pain symptoms and heart focused anxiety, among individuals who had been exposed to childhood traumatic/stressful life events in contrast to those who had not experienced.

Method

595 healthy individuals participated to the present study (164 men – 431 women, mean age 34, SD = 12, ranged 18–75). Subjects were classified into two groups— trauma and no-trauma — based on their personal ratings of experienced traumatic and or stressful events during childhood (300 and 295 individuals respectively). In all participants, the Fear of Pain Questionnaire - III (FPQ-III), The Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale-20 (PASS-20) and the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ) were administered.

Results

Significantly differences between trauma and no-trauma group were observed in almost all total scores and subscales: Severe Pain FPQ-III (t = 2,992, p = .003), Total FPQ-III (t = 2,443, p = .015), Fearful Thinking PASS-20 (t = 3,616, p = .000), Cognitive Anxiety PASS-20 (t = 2,989 p = .003), Physiological Responses PASS-20 (t = 3,666, p = .000), Total PASS-20 (t = 3,218, p = .001), Fear CAQ (t = 2,016, p = .044), Avoidance CAQ (t = 2,269, p = .024), Attention CAQ (t = 2,288, p = .022) and Total CAQ (t = 2,749, p = .006).

Conclusion

Our results illustrate the meangfull of trauma in clinical practise and are in a similar vein with psychoanalytic thoughts that all types of trauma are firstly psychological trauma's.
A pilot program using media to combat trauma in adolescents
Authors: Latham M.-E. Glaser
Published: May 2011

Empirical research and current statistics show that child sexual violence/abuse and its lasting effects, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, are key issues in adolescent development and could be addressed in a novel fashion involving supervised peer-groups and the arts.

We propose a pilot program that would span twenty-two weeks, with ideally a maximum of twenty (20) students from a large, metropolitan-area of United States. These high school aged adolescents will have experienced trauma through sexual violence/abuse and also will have experienced academic and behavioral decline within six months of the initial trauma. Students will explore, through the medium of photography, a weekly-assigned issue that relates to their daily life.

After the twenty-two weeks have passed, we will continue to check in with the teens, parents, and teachers to see if any measured gains persist. My goal is to show that through the creative exploration of the self, coupled with the building a new social system, there will be an increase in academic performance, mental health, self-esteem, and behavior. As a pilot, I will be able to predict efficacy in advance of moving forward into a larger study.
Clinical presentation of the posttraumatic stress disorder with and without traumatic brain injuries
Authors: Simonović M.M. , Radisavljević M.M. , Grbeša G.B.
Published: May 2011

The aim of the investigation was to determine the difference between the severities of the symptom's in PTSD with and without the history of TBI.

The estimation of the PTSD in 60 patients was performed using the CAPS-DX. The estimation of the TBI was performed using the Glasgow Coma Scale. The data were analysed using ANOVA and PostHoc analysis.

Severity of the reexperiencing symptoms were higher in PTSD with TBI vs PTSD w/o TBI: in nightmares, reexperiencing, psychological distress (p < 0,05), in intrusive recollections and in total score of reexperiencing symptoms (p < 0,01). PostHoc analysis showed higher scores of intrusive recollections (p < 0,01) and psychological distress (p < 0,05) in PTSD with moderate/severe TBI vs PTSD w/o TBI

Severity of the avoidance symptoms were higher in PTSD with moderate/severe TBI vs PTSD w/o TBI: in avoidance of thoughts, avoidance of activities (p < 0,05), in detachment and in total avoidance symptom's scores in PTSD with moderate/severe TBI vs PTSD w/o TBI. PostHoc analysis showed higher score of detachment in PTSD with mild TBI vs PTSD w/o TBI.

Severity of hyperarousal symptoms were higher in PTSD with TBI: in sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating (p < 0,05), and in total huperarousal symptom's score (p < 0,01). PostHoc analysis showed greater severity of sleep disturbances in PTSD with moderate/severe TBI vs PTSD with mild TBI (p < 0,05), and in PTSD without TBI (p < 0,01), and greater score of difficulties concentrating (p < 0,01) and total huperarousal symptom's (p < 0,05) in PTSD with mild TBI vs PTSD without TBI.
Trauma related psychopathology in unaccompanied refugee minors
Authors: Huemer J. , Karnik N. , Steiner H. , Friedrich M.
Published: May 2011

Objectives

To present a multimodal analysis of psychopathology among African unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) in Austria. These youths experience well documented war and flight related non-normative stressors on their way from Africa to Europe. We have previously reported 17% of PTSD, a number below expectations. We now report on trauma related personality variables which indicate that these youths are resilient but at high risk for decompensation. We tested the hypothesis that PTSD specific defenses would be high (most notably dissociation, conversion, projection, withdrawal and somatization).

Methods

Forty-one URMs participated in the study. The following standardized instruments were used: UCLA PTSD Index for DSM IV, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents, Weinberger Adjustment Inventory, Response Evaluation Measure for the measurement of defenses.

Results

Levels of psychopathology were below previously reported levels in URMs. By contrast, all defenses previously reported as elevated in PTSD (conversion, projection, dissociation, withdrawal and somatization) showed significant increases (p < 0.05), putting these defenses in the 80–95TH percentile for the norm population.

Conclusions

While syndromal illness was less than expected, indicators of trauma related habitual function were all elevated. The present findings reveal that URMs manage the extreme stress of their lives by defensive self-regulation. These findings have implications for diagnosis and management.
Posttraumatic insomnia and structural dimensions of personality in adolescents
Authors: Janjic V. , Dejanovic S. Djukic , Ristic D. Ignjatovic , Ravanic D. , Mihajlovic G. , Radmanovic B.
Published: May 2011

Sleeping disorders are being manifested, after being exposed to stressor, by initial insomnia and/or transitory insomnia, rarely terminal insomnia, which depends also on personality characteristics.

Objective of the work was to establish the most common forms of insomnia in population of psycho traumatized adolescents, and also the connection between the forms of insomnia, its severity and structural dimensions of personality.

The examined group was consisted of 46 adolescent persons who have evinced some form of insomnia under influence of stressor. The diagnosis was made based on the DSM-IV criteria, structural dimensions of personality were evaluated by MMPI-201 test, and the severity of insomnia was evaluated by ISI scale.

Under influence of stressor 41% of examined persons had the initial insomnia, 27% had mixed insomnia, 20% had transitory insomnia, and 12% had terminal insomnia. Regarding the structural dimensions of personality Hs, Hy, D and Pt (p < 0,01) there is a difference between basic and control group, and as far as the forms of insomnia are concerned the examined persons make different population compared to structural dimensions: Hs, Hy, D and Pt (p < 0,01). It also has been established that severity of insomnia correlates with the demonstration of dimensions Hs, Hy, D and Pt (p < 0,01).

The results are showing that the profile of personality plays a role in onset, form, and severity of posttraumatic insomnia.
Posttraumatic stress disorder and and concomitant comorbidity in BIH war veterans 12 years after war
Authors: Klarić M. , Frančišković T. , Petrov B.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

PTSD is dominant, but rarely the only psychological disorder that is present among individuals who have a history of exposure to traumatic event.

Objectives

To examine morbidity in veterans 12 years after the war, with special emphasis on comorbidity of PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.

Methods

The study population consisted of 154 veterans who sought psychiatric treatment due to PTSD. The control group consisted of 77 war veterans who do not have PTSD, collected by snow balling method through veteran associations. The study used a general demographic questionnaire, the HTQ-version for BiH, and the MINI.

Results

Veterans who sought psychiatric treatment due to PTSD, were experienced a significantly greater number of traumatic events (t = 5.66; P < 0.001) and achieved significantly higher scores on a scale of PTSD symptoms (t = 15.291; P < 0.001), perceived personal functionality (t = 12.491; P < 0.001) and the overall result of traumatic symptoms (t = 14.499; P < 0.001). Additionally, among veterans with PTSD there are significantly more of those who reported chronic somatic diseases (X2 = 17.988; P < 0.001), who met the criteria for the diagnosis of current depressive episode (X2 = 36.297; P < 0.001), previous depressive episode (X2 = 29.356; P < 0.001), depressive episode with melancholic features (X2 = 29.356; P < 0.001), dysthymia (X2 = 9.959; P = 0.007), the criteria for the diagnosis of panic disorder with agoraphobia (X2 = 5.490; P = 0.019), PTSD (X2 = 102.018; P < 0.001) and generalized anxiety disorder (X2 = 89.755; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Although PTSD is the dominant cause for seeking psychiatric treatment in veterans, PTSD promotes a comprehensive psychiatric and somatic comorbidity, and predominated are anxious and affective disorders.
The Sang Bok Lee traumatic dream scales for Korean college students
Authors: Lee S.B.
Published: May 2011

Aim

To develop and validate traumatic dream scales by further utilizing The Sang Bok Lee Neurocognitive Dream Orientation Scales (Lee, Sang Bok: 2010, European Psychiatry) assessing the narrative dream contents.

Methods

2450 dream were collected form 870 Korean college students, Yongin, South Korea: 445 males (M age = 20.48 years, SD = 1.35) and 425 females (M age = 20.12, SD = 1.24). The collected dreams were analyzed by The Sang Bok Lee Traumatic Dream Scales that were designed to differentiate ordinary dreams from traumatic and PTST-related dreams.

The traumatic dreams were hypothesized as having frequently recurrent, unexpected, emotionally dreadful, and not actively coped by the dreamers.

Results

759 dreams (31%) of 2450 collected dreams were found as traumatic or very/extreme anxious according to The Lee Anxiety Dream Scale (Mean = 4.56). Strong positive correlation was found between 759 traumatic dreams and independent variables of traumatic dream content (unfamiliar: r = .86, p = .0001; accidental: r = .81, p = .0001; dreadful: r = .93, p = .0001, and not coped by the dreamer: r = 0.86, p = .0001).

Conclusion

The contents of The Sang Bok Lee Traumatic Dream Scales were developed and validated; the results were associated with the previous publications - “Lee Acculturation Dream Scale for Korean-American College Students” (Lee, Sang Bok, 2005: Psychological Reports, 96, 454–456), The Sang Bok Lee Neurocognitive Dream Orientation Scales for Screening Traumatic and PTSD Related Dreams, and The Lee Anxiety Dream Scales.
Long-term consequences of chronic PTSD on quality of life, cardiovascular risk and stress hormones in aging former refugee children
Authors: Muhtz C. , Godemann K. , von Alm C. , Wittekind C. , Wiedemann K. , Yassouridis A. , Kellner M.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Several studies suggested that having a history of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with higher rates of somatic morbidity and disease.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to investigate systematically the long-term-consequences of PTSD on cardiovascular risk, quality of life and stress hormones in a sample of former refugee children.

Methods

In 25 subjects with chronic PTSD and 25 trauma-controlled subjects we measured variables of the metabolic syndrome supplemented by the ankle-brachial index and h-CRP. Quality of life was assessed by the SF-36. Cortisol, ACTH, DHEA were measured in the low dose dexamethasone-suppression-test. Additionally, salivary cortisol was assessed at 0800, 1200, 1600 and 2200 hours.

Results

We found a significant group effect between participants with PTSD and without PTSD regarding quality of life, but not on any metabolic parameter including the ankle-brachial index or cortisol, ACTH and DHEA in plasma before and after dexamethasone or salivary cortisol.

Conclusion

Chronic PTSD was associated with diminished quality of life more than six decades after traumatization, but not with altered metabolic or endocrine variables. Nevertheless, search for subgroups of PTSD patients with childhood traumatization leading to different metabolic and endocrine long-term consequences in aging PTSD patients is needed.
Psychoneuroimmunomodulation at various levels of mental adaptation
Authors: Nikitina V. , Vetlugina T. , Stoyanova I.
Published: May 2011

We have examined 232 healthy persons (mean age 21,7 ± 1,6 years) in a problematic situation - the first temporal period of adaptation (2–3 months) to new conditions of life. We have distinguished three groups of probands characterizing by various level of mental adaptation:

group 1 (n = 129) - healthy, characterized by absence of symptoms testifying to presence of pathological disadaptive manifestations;

group 2 (n = 64) - persons with signs of psychoadaptive syndrome ((PAS) that is a relatively stable formation, during tension of adaptive mechanisms without signs of their exhaustion;

group 3 (n = 39) - persons with signs of psychodisadaptive syndrome (PDAS) characterized by decrease of adaptive abilities, presence of signs of exhaustion and absence of resources for resilience.

Diagnosis of clinical manifestations of the secondary immune deficiency has shown increase of incidence rate of allergic and autoimmune syndromes in persons with signs of mental health disturbance as compared with healthy persons. Immune status of persons without disadaptive manifestations and with PAS were compatible; in group with PDAS we have identified reliable decrease of HLADR+-lymphocytes (p < 0,01), trend toward decrease of natural killers (CD16+) and factors of humoral immunity.

Study of personal traits has identified significant predominance of personal anxiety as a stable trait formed based on biopsychosocial factors, in group of PDAS as compared with PAS (p < 0,05) and by persons without signs of mental health disturbance (p < 0,01).

In result of conducted investigation we have obtained data about contribution of neuroimmune interaction and personal response into mechanisms of mental adaptation-disadaptation in continuum: “norm-pre-morbid-illness”.
Interrelations between anger and aggression among male veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Ostapenko A.V. , Kolov S.
Published: May 2011

Objectives

Combatants with PTSD show a higher level of aggression and dysfunctional anger influencing clinical picture and determining tolerance to treatment. Interrelations between emotional dysfunctions (anger), symptoms of combat-related PTSD and aggression are not clear.

Method

We studied relations between aggression, anger and PTSD symptoms in the group of 557 males-combatants (109 patients had marked symptoms of PTSD, 448 men showed subclinical symptoms), and in the control group of 234 healthy males. We used the Mississippi Scale for quantitative evaluation of PTSD and authorial methods for assessing anger and aggression.

Results

Impulsive aggression is the main form in veterans with PTSD, exceeding sevenfold indices in the control group (21,17 ± 1,92; 3,18 ± 0,38, P < 0,00001). Indices of this aggression are equal to level of instrumental aggression (3,03 ± 0,27; 3,88 ± 0,19, P < 0,001), in the control group various forms of aggression differed greatly, level of these types of aggressive behaviour was lower (0,45±0,06; 1,88±0,09, P < 0,0000001).

Correlation analysis of indices of different aggressive behaviour and anger showed that dysfunctional anger has strong positive interrelations only with indices of impulsive (affective-hostile) aggression (P < 0,01), similar correlation with instrumental aggression was not discovered. In the control group significant correlations between anger and aggressive behaviour were not found.

Conclusions

Impulsive aggression is mostly expressed in combatants with PTSD. Anger is the main determining factor for level, strength, intensity and frequency of impulsive aggression. Association between anger and PTSD is unique for combatants with impulsive aggression. Dysfunctional anger serves a general pathogenetic factor for combat-related PTSD and impulsive aggression.
Physician attitudes of county Primorsko- goranska refering the patient suffering from PTSD after the war in Croatia
Authors: Pavesic Radonja A. , Grahovac T. , Stevanović A. , Frančišković T.
Published: May 2011

Research background

Attitudes of individuals, especially experts, can affect the decision of patients to seek help and to cooperate in the therapeutic process. It is believed that better understanding and knowledge about the disorder leads to more positive attitudes towards patients, especially when it comes to mental disorders.

Objective

To examine the attitudes of general practitioners and psychiatrists, towards to veteran participants of the War in Croatia suffering from PTSD because those physicians are the two specialties most often in contact with these patients

Method

A sample of 30 primary care physicians and 30 psychiatrists in County Primorsko goranska completed a general demographic questionnaire and AMIQ questionnaire (Corigann 2002). Custom AMIQ questionnaire consists of 20 claims (paragraph), which are ranked on a scale of 1–9, and are grouped into two subscales “personal responsibility for illness,” and “the danger of disease.”

Results

There are no statistically significant differences in sub scales regard to specialization, gender and physician’s place of employment.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the formation of physicians’ attitudes does not affect only the knowledge of disorder, but more different personal and enviromental factors may have the impact.
Psychiatric disorders among children living in orphanages - experience from Kashmir
Authors: Rather Y.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

In the conflict torn developing countries, where adoption and foster care are little practised, orphanages remain one of the few means of survival of inumerable orphans. Critical research, however, has potrayed orphanages as a breeding ground for psychopathology.

Objectives

This study was taken up to examine this opinion.

Methods

An orphanage for girls in Srinagar was surveyed by Psychiatrists, and using DSM IV guidelines screened children were evaluated for psychopathology.

Results

Children were in the age group of 5–12 yrs. PTSD was the commonest psychiatric disorders (40.62%), easily attributable to the prevailing mass trauma state of almost two decades. Next commonest diagnoses were MDD (25%) and conversion disorder (12.5%).

Conclusions

A high psychopathology in orphanages could be an important guide for policy makers to plan for better rehabilitation and social reintegration of orphans.
Changes of 5-HT1A receptor in the dorsal raphe nucleus in the rat model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Luo F.F. , Han F. , Shi X.Y.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized mainly by symptoms of reexperiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal as a consequence of catastrophic and traumatic events that are distinguished from ordinary stressful life events. Single-prolonged stress (SPS) is an established animal model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The dorsal raphe nucleus (DR)-serotonin (5-HT) system is dramatically affected by swim stress and has been implicated in affective disorders. The 5-HT1A receptor (5-HT1AR) is critically involved in regulating mood and anxiety levels.

Objective

In this study, we investigated changes in the expression of 5-HT1AR in DR of rats after SPS which may reveal part of the pathogenesis of PTSD.

Methods

Rats were randomly divided into 24h, 4d and 7d groups after SPS and a normal control group, 5-HT1AR expression in DR was examined using immunohistochemistry, western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The expression of 5-HT1AR in DR after SPS exposure was increased when compared to that in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

These findings suggest increase of 5-HT1AR in DR of SPS rats, which may play important roles in the pathogenesis of PTSD rats.
Single-prolonged stress induced mitochondrial - dependent apoptosis in hippocampus in the rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Li M.X. , Han F. , Liu J.D. , Shi X.Y.
Published: May 2011

Objective

The aim of this study was to reveal the possible mechanisms involved in apoptosis induced by single prolonged stress (SPS) in hippocampus of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rats.

Methods

SPS is one of the animal models proposed for PTSD. Wistar rats were killed at 1, 4, 7, 14 and 28days after exposure to SPS. Expression of caspase-9, caspase-3, cytochrome c, Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting and electron microscopy. Apoptotic cells were assessed by TUNEL method.

Results

Our results showed apoptotic cells were significantly increased in hippocampus of SPS rats, accompanied by release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol, increase of caspase-9 and caspase-3 expression and decrease of the Bcl-2 / Bax ratio.

Conclusion

The results indicate that SPS induced apoptosis in hippocampus of PTSD rats, and the mitochondrial pathway was involved in the process of SPS induced apoptosis. *National Natural Science Foundation of China
Apoptosis in medial prefrontal cortex of PTSD rats
Authors: Zhang H.J. , Li M. , Han F. , Shi X.Y.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

A critical region of PTSD is the medial prefrontal cortex, which may be impaired in this disorder. Neuroimaging studies have reported reduced cortical volumes and neuronal integrity, as well as decreased function in medial prefrontal structures in this disorder.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to find whether mPFC neurons have cell apoptosis, which may lead to the dysfunction of mPFC of PTSD.

Methods

The group to test apotosis was divided into SPS after1d, 4d, 7d, 14d and control group. Expression of caspase-9 and caspase-3 were detected by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting and RT-PCR.

Results

Caspase-3 was located in cytoplasm. Evaluation of Caspase-3 immunohistochemistry showed a significant increased in the SPS-1d, SPS-4d and SPS-7d compared with the normal control group, then gradually decreased in SPS-14d. Caspase-9-positive cells were expressed in the control group and the SPS groups, The positive expression was green fluorescence, which in cell body, membrane, and processes. The mRNA levels of Caspase-9 in the SPS rats were significant increased on days 1d and 4d then gradually decreased. The Caspase-3 mRNA levels peaked at SPS-7d, then decreased on SPS-14d.

Conclusions

The mPFC neuronal apoptosis through mintochodrial pathway would play an important role in the dysfunction of mPFC in post traumatic stress disorder patients.
Changes of glucocorticoid receptors in nucleus raphes magnus neurons of PTSD-like rats
Authors: Liu H. , Han F. , Shi Y.
Published: May 2011

Objective

To observe the changes of glucocorticoid receptors(GR) in the nucleus raphes magnus (NRM)neurons of PTSD-like rats.

Methods

25 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into PTSD model 1d, 4d, 7d, 14d groups and a normal group with 5 rats in each group. Rats in model groups were treated with SPS procedure to reproduce PTSD model.The changes of expression of GR in NRM of rats were detected by immunohistochemistry and PCR in each group, and image analysis and statistical analysis were performed in each group.

Results

GR was distributed in the nucleus of neurons. The expression of GR was sharply decreased on 1d, but gradually increased on 4d and 7d, then decreased on 14d. All of 4d, 7d, 14d are higher than the normal (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The lasting dysfunction of GR in the nucleus raphes magnus (NRM) may play an important role in post-traumatic stress disorder rats.
Personality traits and PTSD after experiencing civilian war-related trauma among women in Croatia
Authors: Stevanovic A. , Franciskovic T. , Colic M. , Vidakovic I. , Knezevic G. , Vermetten E.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Although many studies report that neuroticism and introversion predispose people to PTSD after exposure to traumatic event, the relationship between personality traits and PTSD is still vague. Also, little attention has been given to posttraumatic responses of civilians and especially women after war circumstances.

Objectives

To explore the relationships between basic personality traits and PTSD among female civilians who have experienced war- related trauma.

Aims

To investigate whether women with current PTSD, PTSD in remission, and those who did not develop PTSD differ in neuroticism, extroversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness.

Methods

The research is a part of a larger study „Psychobiology of PTSD”. CAPS and NEO PI-R were administrated to 395 female participants: 61 participants have current PTSD, 124 PTSD in remission and 108 never developed PTSD after experiencing at least one civilian war related traumatic event. The control group consisted of 101 women with no war related trauma.

Results

Four groups significantly differ on four out of five major domains of personality (one way ANOVA). Women with current PTSD and PTSD in remission have significantly higher scores on neuroticism (F = 25,170, p = ,000). Non PTSD group and controls show significantly higher scores on extroversion (F = 29,980, p = ,000) and on openness to experience (F = 18,421, p = ,000). Participants with current PTSD score have significantly lower scores on conscientiousness in comparison to the other three groups (5,672, p = ,001).

Conclusion

According to our results, personality traits are in significant relationship with PTSD development in female civilians with war related traumatization.
Dynamics aspects in ex-combatants experienced PTSD
Authors: Tadevosyan M. , Babakhanya-Gambaryan A.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Growing stress and extreme situations create serious psychological problems, for solving which a person must get adopted to new situations different from stress- formed conditions, “suppressing” herewith spontaneous aggression and anxiety that quite often leads to both forming anti- and asocial behavior and the development of somatoform disorders.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to examine the development of several PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) symptoms actual in PTSD dynamics.

Aim

To determine how growing of actual parameters impacts on development of PTSD.

Methods

In this study material of observation, testing and diagnoses of 30 male Karabagh war volunteers at the age of 35–61 (48 ± 8) were used. The psychiatric disorders (among the examined patients) corresponded to ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The observation period included 15–18 years. The clinical self- report scale SCL-90-R was used to assess several psychological features.

Results

All the actual SCL-90 properties exceed the pathological level (≥2). In particular, somatisation level was 2, 2 ± 0, 5 in 2009 vs. 1, 97 ± 0,10 in 1996. It is caused, on the one hand, by the presence of unconscious suppressed anxiety, on the other hand, by the evident deterioration of the patients’ somatoneurological status. Besides, growing aggression is revealed (SCL- hostility) (2,4 ± 0,8 in 2009 vs. 2, 24 ± 0,16 in 1996), that indicates gradual forming of organic cerebral changes.

Conclusion

The comparison of 1996–2009 features enables to hypothesize, that development of actual parameters is essential in PTSD dynamics at the stage of distant results.