British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 46(2), June 2007, pp.187-201.
Publisher:
Wiley
The aim of the current study is to explore the association between combat experience and the occurrence of delusional-like beliefs. It is hypothesized that negative post-trauma appraisals and positive beliefs about paranoia will be associated with vulnerability to delusional ideas and that veterans who meet criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be more likely to hold delusional-like ideas. A small-scale survey design was employed in order to ensure that detailed information was gathered concerning battle exposure. Forty-one British war veterans completed questionnaires relating to combat experience, delusional ideation, beliefs about paranoia, appraisals of combat trauma and PTSD symptomatology. Negative post-trauma cognitions and positive and negative beliefs about paranoia were associated with increased predisposition to delusional beliefs; however, the severity of combat experience was not. It was also found that veterans who met criteria for PTSD were more likely to hold delusional-like ideas compared with those who did not. Furthermore, the PTSD group held more negative post-trauma cognitions and more positive beliefs about paranoia. These findings suggest that PTSD symptoms may confer vulnerability to delusional beliefs and that this may be mediated by negative appraisals about the self, the world and dysfunctional beliefs about paranoia. However, it is possible that psychotic-like phenomena confer vulnerability to PTSD. The implications of these findings are discussed.
The aim of the current study is to explore the association between combat experience and the occurrence of delusional-like beliefs. It is hypothesized that negative post-trauma appraisals and positive beliefs about paranoia will be associated with vulnerability to delusional ideas and that veterans who meet criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be more likely to hold delusional-like ideas. A small-scale survey design was employed in order to ensure that detailed information was gathered concerning battle exposure. Forty-one British war veterans completed questionnaires relating to combat experience, delusional ideation, beliefs about paranoia, appraisals of combat trauma and PTSD symptomatology. Negative post-trauma cognitions and positive and negative beliefs about paranoia were associated with increased predisposition to delusional beliefs; however, the severity of combat experience was not. It was also found that veterans who met criteria for PTSD were more likely to hold delusional-like ideas compared with those who did not. Furthermore, the PTSD group held more negative post-trauma cognitions and more positive beliefs about paranoia. These findings suggest that PTSD symptoms may confer vulnerability to delusional beliefs and that this may be mediated by negative appraisals about the self, the world and dysfunctional beliefs about paranoia. However, it is possible that psychotic-like phenomena confer vulnerability to PTSD. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Subject terms:
post traumatic stress disorder, psychoses, war, armed forces personnel, diagnosis;
British Journal of Psychiatry, 185(10), October 2004, pp.291-297.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
... months. Logistic regression demonstrated that cognitive therapy significantly reduced the likelihood of making progression to psychosis as defined on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale over 12 months. In addition, it significantly reduced the likelihood of being prescribed antipsychotic medication and of meeting criteria for a DSM–IV diagnosis of a psychotic disorder. Analysis of covariance showed
Advances in the ability to identify people at high risk of developing psychosis have generated interest in the possibility of preventing psychosis. A randomised controlled trial compared cognitive therapy with treatment as usual in 58 patients at ultra-high riskof developing a first episode of psychosis. Therapy was provided over 6 months, and all patients were monitored on a monthly basis for 12 months. Logistic regression demonstrated that cognitive therapy significantly reduced the likelihood of making progression to psychosis as defined on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale over 12 months. In addition, it significantly reduced the likelihood of being prescribed antipsychotic medication and of meeting criteria for a DSM–IV diagnosis of a psychotic disorder. Analysis of covariance showed that the intervention also significantly improved positive symptoms of psychosis in this population over the 12-month period. Cognitive therapy appears to be an acceptable and efficacious intervention for people at high risk of developing psychosis.
Subject terms:
monitoring, psychiatry, randomised controlled trials, research methods, schizophrenia, severe learning disabilities, behaviour modification, behaviour therapy, diagnosis;
British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 42(4), November 2003, pp.331-353.
Publisher:
Wiley
This paper examines the research and theoretical literature on potential links between trauma and psychosis. : Three main alternatives are considered; can psychosis cause PTSD, can trauma cause psychosis and could psychosis and PTSD both be part of a spectrum of responses to a traumatic event? The more influential studies considered are critically evaluated and methodological considerations specific to research regarding trauma and psychosis are also examined. Evidence is found in support of each of these relationships, and an integrative approach to conceptualizing the relationships is suggested. Recent conceptualizations of PTSD and psychosis are used to inform the consideration of these different pathways, and the implications for theories of psychosis and trauma and the clinical implications for services for psychotic patients are discussed.
This paper examines the research and theoretical literature on potential links between trauma and psychosis. : Three main alternatives are considered; can psychosis cause PTSD, can trauma cause psychosis and could psychosis and PTSD both be part of a spectrum of responses to a traumatic event? The more influential studies considered are critically evaluated and methodological considerations specific to research regarding trauma and psychosis are also examined. Evidence is found in support of each of these relationships, and an integrative approach to conceptualizing the relationships is suggested. Recent conceptualizations of PTSD and psychosis are used to inform the consideration of these different pathways, and the implications for theories of psychosis and trauma and the clinical implications for services for psychotic patients are discussed.
Subject terms:
models, personality disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, psychology, sexual abuse, traumas, conduct disorders, diagnosis;