Acute stress disorder and defense mechanisms: a study of physical trauma patients admitted to an emergency hospital

Abstract

Introdução: O transtorno de estresse agudo (TEA) reúne um conjunto de sintomas que pode surgir nos indivíduos após exposição a um evento traumático. Este estudo verificou a relação entre o estilo defensivo e o desenvolvimento de TEA e seus sintomas em uma amostra de pacientes que sofreram trauma físico. Métodos: Este estudo transversal controlado envolveu 146 pacientes que sofreram trauma físico e necessitaram hospitalização. Um questionário estruturado foi utilizado para avaliar sintomas de TEA, baseado nos critérios diagnósticos do DSM-5, além do Questionário de Estilo Defensivo (Defense Style Questionnaire -DSQ). Resultados: Dez (6,85%) pacientes tiveram diagnóstico positivo para TEA, e 136 (93,15%), diagnóstico negativo. A maioria da amostra foi composta por homens com idade mediana variando de 33,50 a 35,50. Nos 10 pacientes positivos para TEA, destacou-se a maior utilização de mecanismos de defesa de anulação e desvalorização, pertencentes ao fator neurótico e ao fator imaturo, respectivamente. Foram observadas associações positivas entre presença de sintomas de TEA do critério B do DSM-5 e os mecanismos de defesa do DSQ, sobretudo nos mecanismos de anulação, projeção, agressão passiva, acting out, fantasia autística, deslocamento e somatização. Conclusão: Pacientes com TEA utilizaram mais mecanismos de defesa do tipo anulação e desvalorização quando comparados aos pacientes sem diagnóstico de TEA. Ressalta-se a importância da detecção precoce de sintomas de TEA a fim de evitar outros agravos relacionados ao trauma, o que representa uma importante evolução em termos de saúde pública. Descritores: Sintoma, transtorno estresse agudo, mecanismos de defesa, eventos estressantes. AbstractIntroduction: Acute stress disorder (ASD) encompasses a set of symptoms that can arise in individuals after exposure to a traumatic event. This study assessed the defense mechanisms used by victims of physical trauma who developed ASD. Method: This was a controlled cross-sectional study of 146 patients who suffered physical trauma and required hospitalization. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate ASD symptoms based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, in addition to the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ). Results: Ten participants (6.85%) received a positive diagnosis of ASD, and 136, (93.15%) a negative diagnosis. The majority of the sample consisted of men with median age ranging from 33.50 to 35.50. The most prevalent defense mechanisms among the 10 patients with ASD were cancellation and devaluation, which belong to the neurotic and immature factors, respectively. Positive associations between the presence of symptoms from criterion B of the DSM-5 and defense mechanisms from the DSQ were found. These included the mechanisms of undoing, projection, passive aggression, acting out, autistic fantasy, displacement, and somatization. Conclusion: Patients with ASD employed different defense mechanisms such as undoing and devaluation when compared to patients not diagnosed with ASD. These results mark the importance of early det...

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