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Posttraumatic stress disorder following high‐ and low‐ magnitude stressors in psychotherapeutic inpatients
Author(s) -
Spitzer Carsten,
Abraham Gerit,
Reschke Konrad,
Michels Felicitas,
Siebel Ute,
Freyberger Harald J
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
clinical psychology and psychotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.315
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1099-0879
pISSN - 1063-3995
DOI - 10.1002/1099-0879(200011)7:5<379::aid-cpp242>3.0.co;2-v
Subject(s) - stressor , psychopathology , psychology , dissociative , posttraumatic stress , psychiatry , clinical psychology
High‐magnitude stressors and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequently in psychiatric patients. In contrast, the role of low‐magnitude stressors has rarely been studied. We assessed a consecutive series of 78 psychiatric inpatients taking part in our psychotherapy programme for potentially traumatic events and PTSD with a structured interview. All participants completed self‐report questionnaires on PTSD‐symptomatology, dissociative and general psychopathology (DES, SCL‐90). A distressing event was reported by 48 patients (61.5%) and 27 (34.6%) met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Of these, 16 reported a low‐magnitude stressor, while 11 had experienced a high‐magnitude stressor. There were no significant differences in PTSD symptoms, dissociative and general psychopathology between patients with PTSD due to a minor trauma and those with a major trauma. Our preliminary findings suggest that low‐magnitude stressors can also lead to PTSD. We discuss the possible implications with regard to psychotherapy. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.