Validity of ‘post‐traumatic stress disorder with secondary psychotic features’: a review of the evidence
Abstract
Objective: To review the evidence from empirical studies regarding the validity of ‘post‐traumatic stress disorder with secondary psychotic features’ (PTSD‐SP) as a separate diagnostic entity. Method: The authors performed a review tracing publications between 1980 and January 2008. Results: Twenty‐four comparative studies were included. These studies indicate that PTSD‐SP is a syndrome that comprises PTSD‐symptoms followed in time by the additional appearance of psychotic features. The psychotic features are not confined to episodes of re‐experiencing, but remain present continuously. PTSD‐SP seems to have some biological features differentiating it from schizophrenia and PTSD, e.g. there are differences in smooth pursuit eye movement patterns, concentrations of corticotropin‐releasing factor and dopamine β‐hydroxylase activity. Conclusion: There is currently not yet full support for PTSD‐SP as a nosological entity. However, the delineation of PTSD‐SP from other psychiatric syndromes is notable and biological studies seem to support the validity as a separate diagnostic entity.
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Trauma-related psychotic symptoms are relatively common in this patient group.
“Trauma-related psychotic symptoms are relatively common in this patient group and were therefore not among the exclusion criteria [22, 23].”
From Treatment of trauma-affected refugees with venlafaxine versus sertraline combined with psychotherapy - a randomised study (2016) · cites this paper as [22]
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- Authors
- Braakman, M. H., Kortmann, F. A. M., & Van Den Brink, W.
- Affiliations
- Radboud University Medical Center (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Braakman, M. H.
- ORCID
- Braakman, M. H.
- Venue
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2008-12-09
- Volume
- 119
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 15-24
- ISSN
- 0001-690X (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0447
- OpenAlex
- W2076583633
- Cited by
- 128
- References
- 48
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 1.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Pure Amsterdam UMC (publishedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (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 › Migration, Health and Trauma
- Keywords
- diagnostic validity, disease classification, psychotic features, schizophrenia, smooth pursuit eye movements, corticotropin-releasing factor, dopamine beta-hydroxylase, re-experiencing
- MeSH terms
- Chronic Disease, Delusions, Diagnosis, Differential, Hallucinations, Humans, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychotic Disorders, Reality Testing, Risk Factors, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Comorbidity, Evidence-Based Medicine
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