scholarly journals Survivors of the Piper Alpha oil platform disaster: long-term follow-up study

2002 ◽  
Vol 181 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair M. Hull ◽  
David A. Alexander ◽  
Susan Klein
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Survivor Guilt ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Major Disaster ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Specific Symptoms

BackgroundThe long-term psychological effects of surviving a major disaster are poorly understood. We undertook a survey of survivors of the Piper Alpha oil platform disaster (1988).AimsTo examine the role of factors relating to the trauma, the survivors and the survivors' circumstances.MethodTen years after the disaster, 78% (46/59) of the survivors were located, of whom 72% (33/46) agreed to be interviewed. A further three individuals completed postal measures.ResultsThe most stringent diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were met by 21% (7/33) of the survivors over 10 years after the disaster. Features such as physical injury, personal experience and survivor guilt were associated with significantly higher levels of post-traumatic symptoms.ConclusionsA narrow definition of factors affecting outcome will limit the potential for improving survivor well-being in the long-term after major disasters. Specific symptoms that are not included in the criteria for the diagnosis of PTSD, together with issues such as re-employment, need to be addressed.

scholarly journals DSM-IV post-traumatic stress disorder among World Trade Center responders 11–13 years after the disaster of 11 September 2001 (9/11)

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 771-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Bromet ◽  
M. J. Hobbs ◽  
S. A. P. Clouston ◽  
A. Gonzalez ◽  
R. Kotov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
World Trade ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Trade Center ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Dsm Iv

BackgroundPost-traumatic symptomatology is one of the signature effects of the pernicious exposures endured by responders to the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster of 11 September 2001 (9/11), but the long-term extent of diagnosed Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its impact on quality of life are unknown. This study examines the extent of DSM-IV PTSD 11–13 years after the disaster in WTC responders, its symptom profiles and trajectories, and associations of active, remitted and partial PTSD with exposures, physical health and psychosocial well-being.MethodMaster's-level psychologists administered sections of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and the Range of Impaired Functioning Tool to 3231 responders monitored at the Stony Brook University World Trade Center Health Program. The PTSD Checklist (PCL) and current medical symptoms were obtained at each visit.ResultsIn all, 9.7% had current, 7.9% remitted, and 5.9% partial WTC-PTSD. Among those with active PTSD, avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms were most commonly, and flashbacks least commonly, reported. Trajectories of symptom severity across monitoring visits showed a modestly increasing slope for active and decelerating slope for remitted PTSD. WTC exposures, especially death and human remains, were strongly associated with PTSD. After adjusting for exposure and critical risk factors, including hazardous drinking and co-morbid depression, PTSD was strongly associated with health and well-being, especially dissatisfaction with life.ConclusionsThis is the first study to demonstrate the extent and correlates of long-term DSM-IV PTSD among responders. Although most proved resilient, there remains a sizable subgroup in need of continued treatment in the second decade after 9/11.

scholarly journals Psychological impact of caring for critically ill patients during the Covid-19 pandemic and recommendations for staff support

2020 ◽  
pp. 175114372096510
Author(s):  
Andrew Bates ◽  
Julia Ottaway ◽  
Helen Moyses ◽  
Marcie Perrrow ◽  
Sophie Rushbrook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Support ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Supportive Interventions

Background Reports of significant psychological stress among frontline healthcare workers are emerging from the Covid-19 outbreak in China. Concerningly, these match findings from previous infective outbreaks, which resulted in long-term psychological pathology. Methods During the Covid-19 pandemic, a multi-disciplinary cohort of Intensive Care staff completed an online survey of psychological well-being and rated the perceived usefulness of supportive interventions. Results Sixty per cent of invited staff responded. Seventy-seven per cent reported normal/high level of resilience. Thirty-two staff (35%) reported anxiety of a level at which formal psychological assessment is recommended. Sixteen (14%) staff members reported symptomology suggestive of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between job-related well-being, anxiety (p = 0.003) and PTSD (p = 0.005). Nurses were seven times more likely than doctors to score higher anxiety (OR = 6.8; p = 0.01). Preferred supportive interventions were adequate personal protective equipment, rest facilities and regular breaks. In the subgroup with high anxiety, psychological support was perceived as significantly more useful, with significant reductions reported for rest facilities and PPE. Discussion We report concerning levels of anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptomology among intensive care staff during the Covid-19 crisis, significantly impacting job-related well-being. Nurses are disproportionately affected. Overall, physiologically protective supportive interventions were preferred by staff; however, staff with established anxiety desire professional psychological help. Our findings match reports from SARS 2003 and China 2019. To mitigate long-term psychological consequences of caring for patients during a pandemic, easily deliverable protective strategies should be instigated, supported by formal and longer-term psychological support. Particular attention should be paid to developing strategies which support nursing staff.

scholarly journals Therapeutic effect of increased openness: Investigating mechanism of action in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 967-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark T Wagner ◽  
Michael C Mithoefer ◽  
Ann T Mithoefer ◽  
Rebecca K MacAulay ◽  
Lisa Jerome ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personality Change ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Change ◽  
Therapeutic Mechanism ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Relationship

A growing body of research suggests that traumatic events lead to persisting personality change characterized by increased neuroticism. Relevantly, enduring improvements in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms have been found in response to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy. There is evidence that lasting changes in the personality feature of “openness” occur in response to hallucinogens, and that this may potentially act as a therapeutic mechanism of change. The present study investigated whether heightened Openness and decreased Neuroticism served as a mechanism of change within a randomized trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) Global Scores and NEO PI-R Personality Inventory (NEO) Openness and Neuroticism Scales served as outcome measures. Results indicated that changes in Openness but not Neuroticism played a moderating role in the relationship between reduced PTSD symptoms and MDMA treatment. Following MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, increased Openness and decreased Neuroticism when comparing baseline personality traits with long-term follow-up traits also were found. These preliminary findings suggest that the effect of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy extends beyond specific PTSD symptomatology and fundamentally alters personality structure, resulting in long-term persisting personality change. Results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of psychotherapeutic change.

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