Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms related to psychosis and acute involuntary hospitalization in schizophrenic and delusional patients

The aims of this study were: a) to assess the prevalence of posttraumatic s tress disorder (PTSD) after an acute psychotic episode in schizophrenic and delusional patients, b) to explore which psychotic symptoms and aspects of treatment were associated with traumatization, and c) to compare the exten t of the traumatic impact of psychosis and involuntary hospitalization. For ty-six schizophrenic and delusional patients were assessed with the Positiv e and Negative Syndrome Scale PANSS), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IE S-R), and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) at weeks 1 and 8 aft er acute psychiatric admission. Traumatic symptoms related to psychosis and coercive measures were scored separately. The prevalence of PTSD was found to be 11%. Sixty-nine percent of traumatic symptoms were related to psycho sis and 24% to hospitalization. High PANSS score at week 8 was the stronges t risk factor for the development of PTSD. Particularly positive and depres sive/anxious symptomatology were associated with psychosis-related traumati c symptoms at both weeks 1 and 8. These data suggest that, in general, schi zophrenic and delusional symptoms are more traumatic than the coercive meas ures used to control them.