Diagnostic mistakes in post-traumatic stress disorder. The problem of symptom overlap with depression
Journal Title: Psychiatria Polska - Year 2013, Vol 47, Issue 6
Abstract
Objectives. The overlap between symptoms of PTSD and MDD is substantial. PTSD symptoms arise after a traumatic experience and the trauma is present in all of the diagnostic clusters. In individuals who have experienced a trauma a long time before, it is difficult to establish the exact moment of onset of their symptoms in relation to the trauma suffered. We proposed to raise awareness among operators who may encounter this problem, with the aim of providing them with valuable help in order to achieve a correct differential diagnosis. Methods. A sample of subjects suffering from PTSD without comorbidity was assessed to confirm the diagnosis and the severity of post-traumatic symptoms. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare any modifications in the parameters analyzed through the Davidson Trauma Scale with the presence and severity of depressive symptoms as evaluated by the Hamilton-D scale. Results. Half of the PSTD patients recruited showed values of HAM-D > 18, although an active Major Depressive Episode was clinically excluded. Symptom of “numbing”, despite being different from the apathy experienced in depression, is identified as a depressive symptom by the HAM-D. Conclusions. Giving prevalence to depressive symptoms may be misleading for diagnosis and may ultimately result in inappropriate treatment.
Authors and Affiliations
Letizia Bossini, Ilaria Casolaro, Claudia Caterini, Despoina Koukouna, Valentina Fortini, Federica Cecchini, Andrea Fagiolini
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP120887
- DOI -
- Views 95
- Downloads 0
Uwagi o praktycznym zastosowaniu ziprasidonu w schizofrenii
Streszczenie Ziprasidon jest atypowym lekiem przeciwpsychotycznym posiadającym wysokie powinowactwo do receptorów D2, 5HT2A, 5HT2C, 5HT1A, 5HT1B/1D. Lek jest dostępny w postaci doustnej i domięśniowej. Postać domięśniow...
Role of leptin in eating disorders – current concept
Eating disorders constitute a dynamically developing group of diseases, in which only some have well-established diagnostic criteria, e.g. anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Many symptoms of eating disorders are hard t...
The influence of antipsychotic therapy on the cognitive functions of schizophrenic patients
Aim: The aim of the present study was twofold: 1. to compare the efficacy of three antipsychotics (ziprasidone, olanzapine and perazine) in schizophrenia 2. to compare the improvement in cognitive functioning between gro...
Psychiatric disorders and cognitive outcomes in children and adolescent with perinatally acquired HIV – a review
The main focus of research on consequences of HIV infection is on adult population and not much attention is given to children, especially to children with perinatally acquired HIV. Researches have shown higher frequency...
Specjalistyczne usługi opiekuńcze jako instrument kompensowania sieci społecznych osób chorych psychicznie
Streszczenie Cel: podjęte badania stanowią próbę oceny możliwości kompensowania sieci społecznej populacji objętej specjalistycznymi usługami opiekuńczymi dostosowanymi do potrzeb i dysfunkcji osób chorych psychicznie....