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Acute stress symptom networks indicate PTSD intervention targets

High centrality symptoms within the acute stress network, indicated as recurrent or distressing recollections by previous findings, were stronger predictors of subsequent PTSD, suggesting utility for early intervention.

“To accelerate recovery after traumatic events and prevent [PTSD] it is critical to understand the dynamic interplay of acute stress symptoms and how they develop over time into chronic PTSD,” Christina Haag, MA, of the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and colleagues wrote. “Bryant et al examined relationships among PTSD symptoms during the acute post-trauma period using network analyses. They concluded that symptoms highly central to the acute symptom network, such as intrusive trauma memories, may be especially important to the development of chronic PTSD.”

To assess this hypothesis, researchers analyzed data for 171 survivors of assault who self-reported acute symptoms 2 weeks and 6 months after the traumatic event.

Recurrent or distressing recollections (OR = 3.11; 95% CI, 1.91-5.05), which were acute symptoms with high strength centrality in the Bryant et al findings, were stronger predictors of subsequent PTSD than symptoms with low strength, such as amnesia (OR = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.18-2.23).

Strength centrality and corresponding ORs were positively associated with prediction of later PTSD.

Shortest path analysis indicated a sense of foreshortened future and recurrent distressing dreams about the traumatic event linked many acute symptoms with chronic PTSD.

“There is a need for better secondary prevention efforts during the initial weeks after experiencing trauma for those at risk for chronic PTSD. Our findings suggest that high centrality symptoms may be especially important in efforts to identify those at greatest risk for chronic PTSD,” the researchers wrote. “Moreover, because high centrality symptoms may interact strongly with other symptoms in the network, they may be valuable targets for early intervention. Accordingly, evidence-based early intervention that targets intrusive memories and nightmares or that aims to modify perceptions of a foreshortened future may be especially effective in preventing the development of PTSD.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.