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Psychotic experiences and PTSD: exploring associations in a population survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2015

S. Alsawy ,
L. Wood ,
P. J. Taylor  and
A. P. Morrison
S. Alsawy
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, School of Psychological Sciences, Manchester, UK
L. Wood*
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, School of Psychological Sciences, Manchester, UK North East London Foundation Trust, Inpatient and Acute Psychology Services, Essex, UK
P. J. Taylor
Affiliation:
University of Liverpool, Institute of Psychology, Health & Society, Liverpool, UK
A. P. Morrison
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, School of Psychological Sciences, Manchester, UK Greater Manchester West NHS Foundation Trust, Psychosis Research Unit, Prestwich Hospital, Manchester, UK
*
* Address for correspondence: Dr L. Wood, North East London Foundation Trust, Inpatient and Acute Psychology Services, Goodmayes Hospital, Barley Lane IG3 8XJ, Essex, UK. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Extensive evidence has shown that experiencing a traumatic event and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with experiences of psychosis. However, less is known about specific PTSD symptoms and their relationship with psychotic experiences. This study aimed to examine the relationship between symptoms of PTSD with paranoia and auditory hallucinations in a large-scale sample.

Method

The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) was utilized to examine the prevalence of lifetime trauma, symptoms of PTSD, and experiences of paranoia and auditory hallucinations (n = 7403).

Results

There were significant bivariate associations between symptoms of PTSD and psychotic experiences. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that reliving and arousal symptoms were significant predictors for paranoia while reliving, but not arousal symptoms, also significantly predicted auditory hallucinations. A dose-response relationship was found, the greater the number of PTSD symptoms, the greater the odds were of experiencing both paranoia and hallucinations.

Conclusions

These findings illustrate that symptoms of PTSD are associated with increased odds of experiencing auditory hallucinations and paranoia. Overlaps appear to be present between the symptoms of PTSD and psychotic experiences. Increasing awareness of this association may advance work in clinical practice.

Keywords

Auditory hallucinationsparanoiapopulation surveypsychosisPTSD
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 45 , Issue 13 , October 2015 , pp. 2849 - 2859
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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