PTSD: Past, present and future implications for China

Abstract

There has been a long history since human beings began to realize the existence of post-traumatic symptoms. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a diagnostic category adopted in 1980 in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Ⅲ, described typical clusters of psychiatric symptoms occurring after traumatic events. Abundant researches have helped deepen the understanding of PTSD in terms of epidemiological features, biological mechanisms, and treatment options. The prevalence of PTSD in general population ranged from 6.4% to 7.8% and was significantly higher among groups who underwent major public traumatic events. There has been a long way in the studies of animal models and genetic characteristics of PTSD. However, the high comorbidity with other stress-related psychiatric disorders and complexity in the pathogenesis of PTSD hindered the effort to find specific biological targets for PTSD. Neuroimage was widely used to elucidate the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of PTSD. Functional MRI studies have showed that PTSD was linked to medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and sub-cortical structures like amygdala and hippocampus, and to explore the functional connectivity among these brain areas which might reveal the possible neurobiological mechanism related to PTSD symptoms. For now, cognitive behavior therapy-based psychotherapy, including combination with adjunctive medication, showed evident treatment effects on PTSD. The emergence of more effective PTSD pharmacotherapies awaits novel biomarkers from further fundamental research. Several natural disasters and emergencies have inevitably increased the possibility of suffering from PTSD in the last two decades, making it critical to strengthen PTSD research in China. To boost PTSD study in China, the following suggestions might be helpful: (1) establishing a national psychological trauma recover project, and (2) exploring the mechanisms of PTSD with joint effort and strengthening the indigenized treatment of PTSD.

The Psychological Impact of Quarantine During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Quarantined Non-Healthcare Workers, Quarantined Healthcare Workers, and Medical Staff at the Quarantine Facility in Saudi Arabia

“…The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a traumatic event. 1 People who experienced such an event are liable for post-traumatic stress disorders and harmful psychiatric illness. 2–8 One systematic review and meta-analysis found an increase in mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, distress, and insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the prevalence of these symptoms was 31.4%, 31.9%, 41.1%, and 37.9%, respectively.…”

The Hidden Factors Affecting Academic Performance Among Chinese Middle School Students: Traumatic Experience and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

“…The core symptoms of PTSD are intrusiveness of the traumatic event, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, negative changes in cognition and emotion, and hypervigilance and overreaction. 7 The 12-month prevalence of PTSD ranges from 0.2% to 3.8%, according to different social backgrounds and countries of residence. 8 The lifetime prevalence of PTSD was estimated as 6.4% in a nationwide investigation in the USA.…”

“…10 After exposure to a major earthquake, there was a lack of decline in the prevalence rate of significant PTSD symptoms. 7 The severity of PTSD correlates with other psychological and physical disorders, eg, over half of PTSD patients suffer from substance use disorders, and higher PTSD severity is related to poorer sleep status, 9,11 ultimately leading to a reduced quality of life. 12 In addition, PTSD can impair work performance in fields demanding a higher level of cognitive function, including decision making, attentional ability, and executive functions.…”

Hippocampal Activated Microglia May Contribute to Blood–Brain Barrier Impairment and Cognitive Dysfunction in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Like Rats

“…Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex and debilitating illness triggered by terrifying events, which is often companied by cognitive impairment, chronic pain, and affective disorders (Compean and Hamner 2019). The prevalence of PTSD in the general population is estimated at approximately 7% and higher among people experienced major traumatic events before (Zhou et al 2021). For example, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major source of traumatic stress for people around the globe since 2019.…”