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Cited by 28Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchChild Abuse and Trauma

Tonic immobility during re-experiencing the traumatic event in posttraumatic stress disorder

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de Kleine, Rianne A., Hagenaars, Muriel A., van Minnen, Agnes·2018·Psychiatry Research
DOI 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.06.051
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Abstract

Tonic Immobility (TI) is an evolved defence response, characterized by physical immobility. Peritraumatic TI has been linked to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, samples sizes in clinical studies have been small, and little is known about TI reactions post trauma, for instance during trauma reminders. The prevalence of peritraumatic TI and TI during re-experiencing the traumatic event was examined by self-report in 184 patients with chronic PTSD. Moderate peritraumatic TI was reported by 26.6% of the participants (n = 49) and extreme peritraumatic TI by 52.2% (n = 96). During re-experiencing the traumatic event, 35.3% (n = 65) reported moderate TI, and 37.0% (n = 68) extreme TI. Peritraumatic TI was related to PTSD symptom severity and TI during re-experiencing mediated this relationship. In line with previous findings, reports of peritraumatic TI were high among PTSD patients. In addition, we showed that it often re-occurred during re-experiencing the traumatic event. The prevalence of TI at different stages post trauma warrants future study.

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  • Tonic immobility has been shown to be prevalent (in 75% of cases) among adults in treatment for chronic PTSD, many of whom may also have met criteria for cPTSD or BPD.

    “Tonic immobility has been shown to be prevalent (i.e., in 75% of cases) among adults in treatment for chronic PTSD, many of whom may also have met criteria for cPTSD or BPD [28].”

    From Complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder (2021) · cites this paper as [28]

  • Tonic immobility has been reported by study participants with PTSD under traumatic memory recall, suggesting that traumatic memories remain connected to subconscious postural responses.

    “Tonic immobility has been reported by study participants with PTSD under traumatic memory recall ( Volchan et al., 2011 ; Fragkaki et al., 2016 ; de Kleine et al., 2018 ), suggesting that traumatic memories remain connected to subconscious postural responses.”

    From The brain-body disconnect: A somatic sensory basis for trauma-related disorders (2022) · cites this paper as de Kleine et al., 2018

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Authors
de Kleine, R. A., Hagenaars, M. A., & van Minnen, A.
Affiliations
Utrecht University (NL)
ORCID
Hagenaars, Muriel A.
Venue
Psychiatry Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-12
Volume
270
Pages
1105-1109
ISSN
0165-1781 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.psychres.2018.06.051
OpenAlex
W2809310692
Cited by
28
References
47
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 5
FWCI
2.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Psychiatry Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
  • Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Keywords
tonic immobility, peritraumatic dissociation, post-traumatic stress disorder, re-experiencing, trauma reminders, PTSD symptom severity, chronic PTSD, defense response, dissociation
MeSH terms
Adult, Chronic Disease, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Immobility Response, Tonic

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