Trauma, resilience and saliostasis: effects of treatment in post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

There has been growing interest in the concept of resilience and the question as to whether psychotropic medications or psychosocial treatments might have resilience-enhancing effects. This pilot study investigates resilience in a sample of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) before and after treatment. Effects of treatment with tiagabine, fluoxetine, sertraline alone, and sertraline with cognitive behavioural therapy on resilience were assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Changes in resilience after treatment were measured and response to treatment was predicted from demographic, resilience and baseline disability measures. Changes in resilience following treatment were statistically significant. Items that showed the greatest change related to confidence, control, coping, knowing where to turn for help and adaptability. Items showing the least change related to religious and existential aspects of resiliency, effort, acting on a hunch, decision-making and goals. In linear and logistic regression models, gender, baseline CD-RISC score, baseline Sheehan Disability Scale score and an individual item from the CD-RISC scale, 'Sense of Humor', were significant predictors of response to treatment. Treatment of PTSD significantly improved resilience and reduced symptoms in this sample. Further controlled studies are indicated.

Physical comorbidities of post‐traumatic stress disorder in Australian Vietnam War veterans

“…Consistent with previous research [50, 51,54], resilience in terms of the ability to adapt to change and the ability to bounce back after illness or hardship seem to be personal qualities that may reduce risks of negative health after deployment. Resilient people may be more likely to engage in active coping behaviour while under stress and less likely to respond in a passive and helpless manner [184].…”

A resilience framework for promoting stable remission from depression

“…In the study presented earlier that examined resilience in PTSD patients, the investigators found that the participants' scores on the resilience measure improved significantly from pre-to post-treatment (Davidson et al, 2005). Indeed, there is some evidence that learning resilience may be even more relevant for people who are having difficulty adapting to their circumstances than for those who are adapting well (Neimeyer, 2000).…”

“…In another study using this scale to assess resilience in people diagnosed with PTSD, investigators found that people diagnosed with PTSD who reported higher resilience exhibited significantly better responses to treatment (both drug and therapy) than those reporting lower resilience (Davidson et al, 2005). One particularly striking example is that there is a relatively large group of individuals that demonstrate spontaneous remission from depression (Whiteford et al, 2013).…”

“…Some evidence suggests that scores on these scales can predict responses to treatment for psychopathology (Davidson et al, 2005). It is not yet clear, however, how these resilience scales might predict successful and continued recovery from depression.…”

Coping Styles, Social Support, Relational Self-Construal, and Resilience in Predicting Students’ Adjustment to University Life

“…Resilience is considered one's capacity to recover in the face of stressful situations (Davidson et al, 2005). Based on this definition, individuals must first face a risky situation.…”