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Article: Impaired memory and general intelligence related to severity and duration of patients' disease in Type A posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Article from:
- Behavioral Medicine
- Article date:
- June 22, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Heldref Publications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is anxiety that occurs as a result of exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor that involves the threat of death or serious injury. Psychiatrists list symptoms of PTSD in 3 categories: (1) intrusive symptoms, (2) avoidant symptoms, and (3) symptoms of hyperarousal. In this study, we focus on observed hyperarousal and short-term memory. Hyperarousal symptoms may involve bouts of irritability, problems with attention and concentration, hypervigilance, and an increased startle response. The traumatic experience in PTSD can have a negative impact on a sense of self-integration; it may also lead to cognitive problems (impaired memory and ...