• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.67-72
• /
• 2021

Objective : This study examined the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among North Korean defectors during preparation for early settlement. In addition, the correlation between PTSD and other mental disorders with suicidal ideation was assessed. Methods : A total of 639 North Korean defectors aged 19-65 years were included from resettlement and training centers. PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Diagnostic Scale (PDS). The prevalence of other mental disorders and suicidal ideation were assessed using the Korean version of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (K-PDSQ). Results : A total of 6.8% of North Korean defectors had a PDS score >23, which was suggestive of a diagnosis of PTSD. Prior repatriation to North Korea was significantly associated with PTSD. The defectors with PTSD had a higher prevalence of other mental disorders (major depressive disorder prevalence: adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 14.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.7-31.2, panic disorder prevalence: AOR, 9.5; 95% CI, 4.6-20.0, generalized anxiety disorder prevalence: AOR, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.4-13.2). No significant association was found between suicidal ideation and PTSD. Conclusion : North Korean defectors had a relatively high prevalence of PTSD and suicidal ideation during preparation for early settlement. Cohort studies are needed to assess the lasting effects of PTSD on North Korean defectors' settlement in Korea for a longer period.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.3-10
• /
• 2014

Reactive disorder is a group of diagnosis with a definitely known etiology and whose etiological factor is essential to the diagnosis. In DSM system, such reactive disorders are listed as adjustment disorder, acute stress disorder, brief psychotic disorder with marked stressor and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, a growing number of individuals is suffering from a prolonged feeling of embitterment after exceptional negative life events and this condition could be diagnosed neither PTSD nor adjustment disorder nor depressive disorder in the context of DSM-IV diagnostic system. This clinical condition can be described as 'posttraumatic embitterment disorder' (PTED). PTED is a reactive disorder triggered by exceptional, though normal negative life events such as conflict in the workplace, unemployment, death of a relative, divorce, severe illness, or experience of loss or separation. The common feature of such events is that they are experienced as unjust, as a personal insult, accompanied by psychological violation of basic beliefs and values. The central psychopathological response pattern in PTED is a prolonged feeling of embitterment. In particular, the core emotion of embitterment can lead to the rejection of treatment. Therefore, "wisdom therapy" as a new treatment approach specifically designed for PTED has been developed. It is assumed that many patients suffering from PTED are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. This review would help to introduce PTED into the clinical field in psychiatry.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.71-79
• /
• 2018

Objective : Several earlier studies have reported similar symptoms in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who have been repeatedly exposed to relevant media after disasters and trauma. This study aimed to examine the effects of indirect trauma experience through media rather than direct traumatic events on an individual's social life. Methods : Five hundred and fifty-four individuals participated in our online, self-reported questionnaire survey. All subjects were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire, Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Korean version of Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. Participants were assessed in regards to their experience of violent media exposure within the past three months. Results : Data from our study indicates that the group exposed to violent media had significantly higher perceived stress, physical symptoms, insomnia, and suicide ideation in comparison to the control group. Among the major symptoms of PTSD, the proportion of intrusion symptoms was relatively high in the media exposed group. Conclusion : This suggests that indirect trauma caused by media exposure could cause post-traumatic stress symptoms. The PTSD caused by indirect trauma may have slight differences from the PTSD caused by direct trauma. Therefore, it is necessary to understand, prevent, and control the adverse effects of media.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.319-331
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to evaluate posttraumatic growth in patients with cancer and to examine the validity and reliability of the scale. Methods: A literature review, semi-structured patient interviews and an expert panel consultation produced a 27 preliminary item questionnaire. Participants were 150 cancer patients recruited to test the reliability and validity of the preliminary scale. Data were analyzed using item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, convergent validity and internal consistency. Results: Item reduction and exploratory factor analysis led to 23 items, grouped into five subscales which were labelled new possibilities (6 items), coping skills (5 items), preciousness of life (5 items), relating to others (4 items), and personal strength (3 items). Convergent validity was evaluated by total correlation with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (r=.45, p<.001). The final scale demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ =.94). Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that the Cancer-Specific Posttraumatic Growth Inventory has validity and reliability and is considered to be appropriate for assessing posttraumatic growth in patients with cancer.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.75-79
• /
• 2009

In this article, we review the efficacy of early interventions after traumatic incidents and during acute stress disorder (ASD). There are some evidences that psychopharmacological medications such as propronolol, morphine, and hydrocortisone are effective in the prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Considering the role of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in hippocampal neurogenesis and an animal model of PTSD, early administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is also fairly promising. Other pharmacological treatments including benzodiazepines did not treat ASD nor prevent PTSD. There are good evidences that cognitive behavioral therapy including cognitive therapy and prolonged exposure is a valuable intervention for ASD and the most effective prevention for PTSD. No contolled researches on eye movement desensitization&reprocessing, psychodynamic psychotherapy and hypnotherapy have performed. Recent randomized controlled studies using psychological debriefing did not prove as a useful intervention for the prevention of PTSD until now, although the efficacy of debriefing has been at the centre of controversy.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.14-20
• /
• 2009

Objective : The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma serotonin concentration and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in chronic PTSD patients who have been taking medication. Methods : Plasma serotonin level of 14 PTSD patients and a control group of 28 Vietnam War veterans was measured by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). The Combat Exposure Scale (CES), Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (M-PTSD), Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and Hamiltion Anxiety Scale (HAS) were used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity. Results : Serotonin level was significantly higher in the PTSD group than in the control group (p=0.036, p=0.006, respectively). M-PTSD (p<0.001), CAPS (p<0.001), HRSD (p<0.001), and HAS (p<0.001) scale scores were significantly higher in the PTSD group than in the control group; however, the CES score failed to show a significant improvement (p=0.964). There were no significant differences between plasma serotonin and PTSD symptoms. Conclusion : In chronic PTSD patients who have been taking medications, we can not predict treatment effect and symptom severity by measuring only plasma serotonin levels. PTSD is a complicated disorder which may likely be related to a variety of neurotransmitter systems. Therefore, further research which investigate relationships with norepinephrine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters as well as serotonin is needed to improve the treatment of PTSD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.155-160
• /
• 2020

Objectives : This study investigate to identify the stability of temperament and personality characteristics of patients including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) patients. Methods : The number of subjects was 102, of which 33 were PTSD patients and 69 were non-PTSD patients. To demonstrate the change in individual temperament and personality characteristics, Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) were administered repeatedly on the subjects. Repeated measures ANOVA and simple main effects analysis were conducted. Results : When analysed by dividing the subjects into PTSD groups and non-PTSD groups, the differences between the primary and secondary tests did not appear in the non-PTSD groups, but the differences between the primary and secondary tests were significant in Harm Avoidance (HA), Reward Dependence (RD), Self-Directedness (SD), Cooperativeness (C). In addition, it was noted that the time and group interaction effects of HA, RD, SD and C were significant, and that the main effects of time of HA, RD, SD and C were significant. Conclusions : This study is meaningful in that in the course of experience and recovery of traumatic events, we have clinically confirmed that changes in the temperament, known as stable variables, are possible.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.123-127
• /
• 2007

Objective : This study was conducted to evaluate the relation between symptoms and hippocampal volume in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods : Eight patients with PTSD and five normal controls were enrolled in the present study. The severity of PTSD symptoms was measured using the clinician administered PTSD scale (CAPS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure hippocampal volume. Results : There were significant differences in the CAPS, HAMD, and HAMA scores between the PTSD patients and normal controls. The left and right hippocampal volumes were smaller in the PTSD patients than in the normal controls, but this difference was not statistically significant. The results showed that PTSD symptoms were not related to hippocampal volume. Conclusion : In this study, we could not identify a difference in hippocampal volume between normal controls and patients with PTSD at eight months after trauma. Future research with different subjects and a larger sample size is needed in order to confirm the difference in hippocampal volume.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.121-127
• /
• 2013

Objective : Several studies have reported the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and hypertension (HTN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PTSD symptoms on blood pressure. Methods : Korean veterans of the Vietnam War with (n=62) or without PTSD (n=87) participated in this study. The clinician administered PTSD scale (CAPS) and alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) were applied. Blood pressure, pulse rate, risk factors of HTN and demographic data of the subjects were collected. Effects of potential explanatory variables on HTN were analyzed with logistic regression. Results : Diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in PTSD group (p=0.015). However, PTSD subjects showed significantly lower pulse rate than non-PTSD subjects (p=0.004). Logistic regression analysis showed that avoidance symptom might be a predictor for hypertension (OR=1.065, p=0.030). Conclusion : These results suggest that PTSD, especially avoidance symptom, might be a risk factor on HTN in the elderly with PTSD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the change of blood pressure according to the clinical improvement of PTSD.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.121-126
• /
• 2008

Objective : The present study investigated gender differences in the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Korean PTSD patients from a multicenter sample. Methods : Data were collected from 18 psychiatric units of training hospitals nationwide. All the patients were interviewed by attending psychiatrists using a structured format for PTSD by DSM-IV diagnoses. Additionally the Davidson Trauma Scale was used to evaluate all self-reported symptomatology. Results : Forty-three patients with PTSD, 23 female and 20 male patients, were enrolled in this study. There were significant differences in the frequency and severity of avoidance symptoms, and severity of re-experience symptoms. The female patients reported a higher level of re-experience and avoidance symptoms than the male patients. Conclusion : The results of the present study were found to be consistent with previous studies on gender differences. Women were more susceptible to PTSD symptoms than men, especially exaggerated re-experience and chronic avoidance. Since all patients groups were enrolled from the hospital, this findings needs to be reexamined using community samples.