J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2007 Jan;46(1):87-92.

Postpsychotic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Schizophrenia: Case Series

• Bae H
• Oh DY
• Kim D

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
A growing body of literature supports the view that experiences of psychotic symptoms or involuntary admission may act as traumatic events which cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Authors report three cases of postpsychotic (PP) PTSD developed in the course of schizophrenic illness.
METHODS
Clinician-administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) were administered for evaluation of symptomatology.
RESULTS
Two cases represented PP/PTSD caused by psychotic symptoms, especially auditory and visual hallucination, and one case by forced involuntary admissions. All three cases met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria of PTSD. The severity was mild in the range of 48 to 51 by CAPS.
CONCLUSION
PP/PTSD developed during or soon after psychotic episodes and persisted for as long as nine years. Clinicians working with individuals with psychotic disorders should keep in mind that some portion of their patients may suffer from lingering posttraumatic effect of psychotic episode -related experiences.

Keyword

Posttraumatic stress disorder; Psychotic disorder; Schizophrenia; Trauma

MeSH Terms

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Hallucinations
Humans
Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia*
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*