Tonic immobility is associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms in healthcare professionals exposed to COVID-19-related trauma

Gama, Camila Monteiro Fabrício; Souza, Sérgio de; Gonçalves, Raquel; Santos, Emmanuele da Conceição; Machado, Arthur Viana; Portugal, Liana Catarina Lima; Passos, Roberta Benitez Freitas; Erthal, Fátima Smith; Vilete, Liliane Maria Pereira; Mendlowicz, Mauro V.; Berger, William; Volchan, Eliane; Oliveira, Letícia; Pereira, Mirtes Garcia

doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2022.102604

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Importantly, healthcare professionals who presented elevated tonic immobility scores exhibited a 9.08-fold increase in the probability of having a probable diagnosis of PTSD. Thus, screening for TI occurrence after trauma exposure and psychoeducation about its automatic biological essence is crucial 4 . This is particularly important, as the occurrence of TI might contribute to sentiments of self-blame and guilt for not responding as expected, thus amplifying a person's suffering.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on mental health of healthcare workers

Gama,

Souza Junior,

Machado

et al. 2023

J. bras. psiquiatr.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a health crisis around the world. Health professionals are frequently exposed to stressors that put them at high risk for the development or progression of disabling mental disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To understand how pandemic stressors have affected the mental health of healthcare workers, our group conducted a longitudinal and nationwide survey. We investigated the occurrence of traumatic events related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the association between exposure to these events and PTSD symptomatology. Importantly, we also investigated factors that might increase or decrease the risk for PTSD. Depression symptoms were also investigated. The results of the first wave of the project were published in a series of three articles, each focused on different risk or protective factors. The results showed that female sex, young age, a lack of adequate personal protective equipment, social isolation and a previous history of mental illness were consistent predictors of PTSD symptoms. Healthcare workers who reported high levels of peritraumatic tonic immobility, a defensive response that is involuntary, reflexive, and evoked by an intense and inescapable threat, also exhibited an increase in the probability of being diagnosed with PTSD. On the other hand, professional recognition had a negative relationship with PTSD and depression symptoms, emerging as a significant protective factor for psychological health. The identification of protective and risk factors in these situations is crucial to guide the adoption of long-term measures in work environments that will enhance the psychological health of these professionals.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on mental health of healthcare workers

Gama,

Souza Junior,

Machado

et al. 2023

J. bras. psiquiatr.

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“…Embora pouco estudada, a imobilidade tônica (IT) foi recentemente descrita em profissionais de saúde expostos a traumas relacionadas à pandemia 8 . O presente relato de caso é um desdobramento desse estudo e visa abordar a ITP vivenciada por uma profissional de saúde que desenvolveu TEPT crônico por trauma laboral causado pela COVID-19 e seu tratamento com TCC-FT remota com participação síncrona do terapeuta.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

“Congelei com medo de me contaminar”: tratando um caso de TEPT crônico com imobilidade tônica em uma fisioterapeuta da linha de frente na pandemia de COVID-19

Melani,

Paiva,

Jannuzzi

et al. 2023

J. bras. psiquiatr.

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RESUMO Objetivo: Neste estudo relatamos o caso de uma profissional de saúde com vivência de imobilidade tônica (IT) e posterior desenvolvimento de transtorno de estresse pós-traumático (TEPT) crônico em decorrência de trauma laboral por conta da COVID-19 que recebeu tratamento remoto com terapia cognitivo-comportamental focada no trauma (TCC-FT). Métodos: Relato de caso de uma paciente acompanhada por seis meses após o recebimento de TCC-FT remota. Resultados: Paciente do sexo feminino, de 36 anos, fisioterapeuta, que desenvolveu TEPT crônico e experienciou IT por medo da contaminação por coronavírus. As escalas psicométricas demonstraram que a TCC-FT reduziu consideravelmente os sintomas de TEPT e depressão e aumentou o apoio social e a resiliência. De acordo com o relato, o tratamento melhorou a concentração e a motivação, e reduziu o sentimento de culpa, a irritabilidade, a insegurança e o desconforto em lidar com outras pessoas. Conclusão: Este artigo demonstra que traumas decorrentes da COVID-19 podem ser capazes de desencadear IT e exemplifica um favorável desempenho da TCC-FT na melhoria global da saúde mental dos pacientes com TEPT crônico com vivência de IT.

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