Incidence and Psychophysiology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Breast Cancer Victims and Witnesses

The objectives are: (a) to evaluate the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in breast cancer patients and witnesses (i.e., significant others), and (b) to validate interview-based diagnoses by measuring physiologic responses during script-driven imagery of patients' and witnesses...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Pitman, Roger K
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
BREAST CANCER
CASUALTIES
DOCUMENTS
HYPOTHESES
LIFE SPAN(BIOLOGY)
MAMMARY GLANDS
MEASUREMENT
Medicine and Medical Research
PATIENTS
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
PREPARATION
Psychology
PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
RESPONSE(BIOLOGY)
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Stress Physiology
TRAUMA
VICTIMS
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Summary:The objectives are: (a) to evaluate the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in breast cancer patients and witnesses (i.e., significant others), and (b) to validate interview-based diagnoses by measuring physiologic responses during script-driven imagery of patients' and witnesses' personal experiences with breast cancer. The rates of lifetime PTSD observed for the breast patients (26%) and witnesses (24%) are concordant with the rates of PTSD from other traumatic events. However, the percentages of lifetime PTSD cases that are current among the patients (35%) and witnesses (33%) are lower than seen with other traumatic events. These data suggest that breast cancer can lead to PTSD in patients and witnesses, but these PTSD patients are more likely to recover from their PTSD than other traumatized persons. Preliminary statistical analyses support the hypothesis that physiologic responses during personal imagery of breast-cancer-related experiences are greater in breast cancer witnesses with PTSD than in breast cancer witnesses who never had PTSD. A one-year no-cost extension has been granted for further analyses of the data and the preparation of publications.