Recall of a Traumatic Event Following Traumatic Brain Injury
There is some controversy in the scientific literature regarding post-traumatic stress disorder and amnesia. Some research seems to show that it is specific memories of the traumatic event that precipitates the re-experiencing of the trauma.
Author:Karan EmeryReviewer:Stefano MclaughlinFeb 17, 202119.2K Shares448.3K Views
There is some controversy in the scientific literature regarding post-traumatic stress disorder and amnesia. Some research seems to show that it is specific memories of the traumatic event that precipitates the re-experiencing of the trauma.
This study looked at 282 patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at an outpatient traumatic brain injury clinic. Motor vehicle accidents were responsible for 66% of the injuries, while pedestrian accidents, assaults, and falls accounted for the majority of the rest. Most of the subjects in the study were assessed within 2 months of their initial injury, on average.
The purpose of the study was to look at the relationship between traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic amnesia (PTA), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Normally, PTSD is based upon intrusive recall of traumatic data, and the question was raised whether TBI and the duration of posttraumatic amnesia (PTA), which can hinder the recall of an injurious event, affect the occurrence of PTSD symptoms.
The study sample was divided into four groups, based on the duration of their posttraumatic amnesia (PTA) according to the criteria of Russell and Smith.
- 147 subjects had PTA which lasted < 1 hour after the injury.
- 70 subjects had PTA which lasted 1-24 hours after injury.
- 40 subjects had PTA which lasted 24 hours to 1 week.
- 25 subjects had PTA which lasted >1 week.
The authors of the study note that this is one of the first to look at the full spectrum of head injury severity, and to look at TBA and PTSD symptoms based on the length of duration of PTA. Normally, increasing severity of amnesia correlates with the severity of the brain injury and can affect eventual patient outcomes.
The authors found that PTSD symptoms (measured with the Impact of Event Scale, a self-report measure of PTSD intrusive and avoidant symptoms) diminished when the PTA exceeded one hour.
"In a sample of head-injured patients assessed within a couple of months of injury and stratified for the severity of head injury on the basis of duration of PTA, symptoms of PTSD occurred in all groups. However, when PTA extended beyond one hour, symptoms of re-experiencing the traumatic event (intrusive phenomena) and avoidant behavior were endorsed significantly less often…in addition, whether or not these phenomena in the more seriously injured (i.e., PTA>1 week) represent the historical ‘truth’ or an embellishment or confabulation of what occurred, as some have suggested, cannot be answered here."
While PTSD symptoms decreased with PTA duration of more than one hour, General Health Questionnaire scores (GHQ) remained constant. This 28-item test recorded symptoms of anxiety and depression and remained constant regardless of the length of PTA.
The authors noted, "The divergence of PTSD-type symptoms and GHQ scores with increasing PTA makes it unlikely that emotional factors alone were responsible for patients endorsing recollections of their trauma and suggests that additional theories must be invoked to explain this aspect of PTSD symptom development our data help dispel the notion that for PTSD to develop in the context of PTA, the 'amnesia' must represent a subject's psychological repression of the traumatic event. The association of unequivocal brain damage with PTSD-type symptoms, therefore, suggests that repression is applicable only to patients with mild head injury without a loss of consciousness or with the briefest alteration in consciousness who go on to develop PTSD reactions without recall for what occurred."
The study did conclude that PTSD symptoms can occur across the full range of head injury severity, though, and should receive attention when treating patients.
Karan Emery
Author
Karan Emery, an accomplished researcher and leader in health sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, brings over two decades of experience to the table. Holding a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Stanford University, Karan's credentials underscore her authority in the field.
With a track record of groundbreaking research and numerous peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals, Karan's expertise is widely recognized in the scientific community.
Her writing style is characterized by its clarity and meticulous attention to detail, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience. Apart from her professional endeavors, Karan enjoys cooking, learning about different cultures and languages, watching documentaries, and visiting historical landmarks.
Committed to advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes, Karan Emery continues to make significant contributions to the fields of health, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
Stefano Mclaughlin
Reviewer
Stefano Mclaughlin is a Psychologist focused on mental health, emotional well-being, and healthcare policy. He studied Psychology and Public Health at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, gaining a deep understanding of the intersection between mental health and public policy.
Stefano's mission is clear: he aims to destigmatize mental health discussions, improve access to mental healthcare, and promote emotional well-being for all. Drawing from personal experiences with anxiety and depression, Stefano shares real stories to make mental health topics more relatable and less intimidating.
In addition to his advocacy work, Stefano enjoys delving into books, experimenting in the kitchen, and embarking on new adventures. These hobbies fuel his creativity and inspire fresh perspectives for his advocacy work.
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