PubMed · 9658264
Does post-traumatic stress disorder occur after stroke: a preliminary study.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Psychological reactions after stroke have been recognized for some time. The present study examined whether psychological symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could occur after stroke as a consequence of the sudden and unpredictable occurrence of a life-threatening internal stressor. METHODS: Sixty-one patients who had experienced a first-ever stroke or transient ischaemic attack were assessed using standard self-report clinical measures for anxiety, depression and PTSD. Those patients who fulfilled criteria on at least one PTSD self-report measure were subsequently assessed using a structured clinical interview for PTSD. RESULTS: Six (9.8%) patients fulfilled criteria for PTSD. No significant differences were found between the post-stroke PTSD group and the non-PTSD group in terms of premorbid health and lifestyle, or experiences of adverse life events. Significant differences were noted with respect to self-reported post-stroke mental health and premorbid neuroticism. The post-stroke PTSD group also scored consistently higher on measures of anxiety, depression and psychiatric caseness. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate a number of close similarities between post-stroke PTSD and classical PTSD. We therefore conclude that PTSD or a PTSD-like syndrome can occur after stroke.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
S Sembi, N Tarrier, P O'Neill, A Burns, B Faragher. 1998. Does post-traumatic stress disorder occur after stroke: a preliminary study.. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199805)13%3A5%3C315%3A%3Aaid-gps766%3E3.0.co%3B2-p
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.