Psychiatric Diagnoses, Trauma, and Suicidality
Author Information
Author(s): Floen Silje K, Elklit Ask
Primary Institution: BUP for Nordhordland, Norway
Hypothesis
The prevalence of trauma exposure and PTSD in psychiatric patients would be high.
Conclusion
Traumatized patients appear to be under- or misdiagnosed which could have an impact on the efficiency of treatment.
Supporting Evidence
- 91% of participants reported exposure to at least one traumatic event.
- Only 7% of participants were diagnosed with PTSD despite high trauma exposure.
- 67% of patients reported suicidal thoughts in the month prior to intake.
Takeaway
Most patients in the study had experienced trauma, but very few were diagnosed with PTSD, which means they might not be getting the right help.
Methodology
Patients in a psychiatric hospital were interviewed over two months, with a response rate of 72%.
Potential Biases
Patients may avoid discussing trauma due to the pain associated with it, leading to underdiagnosis.
Limitations
The small sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The sample consisted of 53% female, 96% native Norwegians, with a mean age of 40 years.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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