The Relevance of Trauma and Re-experiencing in PTSD, Mood, and Anxiety Disorders

How traumatic events (TEs) should be defined, and how specific TEs are for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were examined in a general mental health care population. Three definitions of TEs were defined, according to the PTSD criteria of DSM-IV. Half of the sample reported any TE, with a high prevalence of TEs among non-PTSD disorders. Previous mental health care, female gender, and the likelihood of assigning PTSD were associated with more severe trauma definitions. Reexperiencing symptoms were especially common among mood disorders. The implications for treatment are discussed and an alternative, dimensional definition of trauma has been proposed.

Automated summary

This study examines how traumatic events (TEs) should be defined and their specificity for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a general mental health care population. It found that non-PTSD disorders had a high prevalence of TEs, with female patients, previous mental health care, and the likelihood of being diagnosed with PTSD being associated with more severe trauma definitions. Reexperiencing symptoms were particularly common among mood disorders.