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Psychophysiologic responsivity in posttraumatic stress disorder: generalized hyperresponsiveness versus trauma
J H Casada1, R Amdur, R Larsen
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Biological Psychiatry
|November 20, 1998
Summary
Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show heightened physiological responses, but only to trauma-related stimuli, not general arousing ones. This specificity suggests trauma cues are key to PTSD hyperresponsivity.
Area of Science:
- Psychophysiology
- Trauma Studies
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is clinically associated with hyperresponsivity to various stimuli.
- Psychophysiological research indicates this hyperresponsivity is specific to trauma-related cues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the generalization of physiological responses in PTSD.
- To assess if hyperresponsivity extends to non-trauma-related stimuli of varying arousal and cognitive demand.
Main Methods:
- Measured heart rate (HR), frontal electromyogram (EMG), and skin conductance (EDG) in PTSD and control groups.
- Presented stimuli varying in trauma-relatedness, arousal, sensory modality, and cognitive processing.
Main Results:
- PTSD subjects exhibited elevated baseline EDG and increased HR and EMG responses to trauma-related stimuli (combat sounds).
- No significant physiological differences were found between PTSD and control groups for non-trauma-related arousing stimuli.
Conclusions:
- Physiological hyperresponsivity in PTSD is specifically linked to stimuli closely associated with the trauma.
- This finding supports the targeted nature of PTSD psychophysiological reactions.