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Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
Anesthesia awareness-induced posttraumatic stress disorder
Kathleen M Prendergast1, Mary Cullen-Drill
1College of Nursing, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07006, USA. kmprendergast@comcast.net
Abstract:
While the incidence of anesthesia awareness has been well documented, information related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms resulting from anesthesia awareness is limited. Particularly scarce are descriptions of specific techniques to treat anesthesia awareness-induced PTSD. This article reviews an individual example of a woman who was experiencing anesthesia awareness-induced PTSD symptoms for 10 years. Treatment included supportive psychotherapy, psychoeducation, psychopharmacology, and group therapy with other individuals experiencing PTSD symptoms. Although this patient responded to these treatment approaches, additional studies are needed to identify optimal treatment options for patients with anesthesia awareness-induced PTSD.
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