ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of North-West Pakistan has endured increased levels of violence in recent years. The psychological sequelae of such trauma including the presence of dissociative symptoms has been minimally investigated to date. The study examines psychopathology experienced including the presence of dissociative symptoms, and ascertain what factors are potentially predictive of these symptoms. METHOD: Third-level students (n=303) completed psychometric instruments relating to their experience of traumatic events and assessed depression, anxiety and dissociative symptoms. RESULTS: Symptoms suggestive of post-traumatic stress disorder were evident in 28% of individuals. Symptoms relating to intrusive experiences and alterations in reactivity predicted dissociative, depressive and anxiety symptoms (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Trauma related to violence in this study was associated with significant pathology including dissociative symptoms. Identification and subsequent treatment of dissociative symptoms in individuals who have experienced trauma, may have a significant ameliorating effect on levels of functioning and thus should be included in clinical assessment.
Subject(s)
Anxiety/epidemiology , Depression/epidemiology , Dissociative Disorders/epidemiology , Exposure to Violence/statistics & numerical data , Psychological Trauma/epidemiology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Pakistan/epidemiology , Students/statistics & numerical data , Universities/statistics & numerical data , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Significant neurological symptoms may be overlooked because of the traditional view that the non-Korsakoff's psychosis, middle aged alcoholic misuser is neurologically preserved. AIMS: In this study, we wanted to investigate the presence of neurological symptoms in individuals with misuse or dependence on alcohol who were abstinent for at least 1 month. METHOD: We used two scales from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) to ascertain the presence of both neurological symptoms (HEA-2) and symptoms of general health concern (HEA-3) in 70 individuals who had a diagnosis of alcohol misuse or dependence, who were abstinent for greater than 1 month. RESULTS: Individuals reported significantly more neurological symptoms than general health difficulties (p < 0.001). We detected neurological symptoms, unlike general health difficulties in individuals who were abstinent from alcohol for 12 months. When we examined diagnostic subgroups, general health difficulties were most present in individuals with anxiety disorders; however, neurological difficulties were present across diagnostic groups. CONCLUSION: Neurological symptoms persist to a greater extent than general health concerns in individuals who previously were dependent or misused alcohol.
