Personality profiles of trauma survivors.

Abstract

Previous research has documented the high rate of comorbidity among persons diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The present study attempted to extend previous research by examining levels of personality disorders among those who do and those who do not have PTSD and among those who have experienced a substantially greater number of events. A profile analysis revealed that persons with PTSD differed from those without PTSD on profile elevation and shape. Those with PTSD had higher profiles overall and were significantly higher in levels of borderline, narcissistic, paranoid, passive-aggressive, self-defeating, and schizotypal personality. Those with PTSD were significantly higher on Cluster A and B personality disorders but did not differ on level of cluster C disorders. A parallel set of tests comparing those who had experienced a significant number of events (>5) with those who had experienced fewer events (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) revealed that profile of these two groups differed in elevation and parallelism. Those who had experienced more events had higher elevations overall and were significantly higher on levels of antisocial, borderline, and narcissistic personality.

Personality, temperament, and attachment style among offspring of World War II victims: An integration of descriptive and structural features of personality.

“…The personality profile of offspring of WWII survivors, in particular the high rate of narcissistic, antisocial, borderline, obsessive-compulsive, paranoid and avoidant disorders resembles the scoring pattern of patients with PTSD, diagnosed as a consequence of combat experience (Southwick, Yehuda & Giller, 1993). Results are also in concordance with results of Lauterbach (2001), who found higher scores on borderline, narcissistic, paranoid, passiveaggressive, self-defeating and schizotypal personality disorders among individuals with PTSD as compared with those without PTSD. In all, this suggests also that the mental health problems of offspring of war survivors may be placed in the context of PTSD.…”

“…Results are also in concordance with results of Lauterbach (2001), who found higher scores on borderline, narcissistic, paranoid, passiveaggressive, self-defeating and schizotypal personality disorders among individuals with PTSD as compared with those without PTSD. In all, this suggests also that the mental health problems of offspring of war survivors may be placed in the context of PTSD.…”

Torture assessment and treatment: The wraparound approach.

“…Silove et al, 1997 found that a diagnosis of PTSD among asylum seekers was associated with greater exposure to pre-migration trauma, delaying in processing refugee application, difficulties in dealing with immigration officials, obstacles to employment, racial discrimination, loneliness and boredom feelings. Sub-typing CTD and analyzing the configuration of the profile of each type and its etiology can optimize treatment outcomes (cf., e.g., Brady, Killeen, Breworton, & Lucerini, 2000, Lauterbach, 2001). Conversely, cultural factors have an important role to play in the genesis and presentation of torture symptoms, and in how the are perceived, responded to, and treated.Multiple neuro-chemical systems and brain structures are involved in the torture trauma response as well, e.g., catecholamine and the sympathetic nervous system, hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal, thyroid, and endogenous opioid axes (e.g., Southwick, Yehuda & Wang, 1998).…”