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During the COVID-19 pandemic, psychotrauma and its potential sequelae, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are of increased concern to family medicine. Trauma exposure and PTSD both increase the risks of a broad range of physical diseases. The knowledge of these diseases supports targeted prevention and early diagnosis. This paper provides a brief overview of diseases associated with psychotrauma and PTSD. The identified diseases include inadequate immune response, infectious diseases, dermatoses, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, cancer, metabolic dysfunction, traumatic brain injury, pain disorders, and musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and urogenital disorders. Various possible relationships between trauma exposure, PTSD, and somatic disorders are highlighted. Not only can trauma exposure and PTSD increase the risk for or be a consequence of illnesses, but also affect the course of sequelae or comorbid diseases and their treatment. Family physicians play an essential role in the health care of patients with traumatic experiences or PTSD. Knowledge of the associations between trauma exposure, PTSD, and somatic diseases can facilitate targeted prevention of somatic diseases, early diagnosis, and structured treatment planning for multimorbid patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Drivers in public transportation are at risk of experiencing potential traumatic events such as accidents involving persons, collisions, or suicides. In this context, the question arises to what extent psychological traumatization and posttraumatic diseases occur. Purpose: The aim of this systematic review was to describe the frequency and nature of work-related posttraumatic disorders, to analyze risk and prognostic factors after potentially traumatic events (accidents resulting in damage to property and/or in injury or death), and address sick leave after such events in the realm of public transportation, based on the available literature. Methods: Systematic review based on four databases (PubMed, PSYNDEX/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, PILOTS) between 1980 and June 2013. Results: We identified seven studies (four longitudinal, three cross-sectional) that examine employees after person under train (PUT) events. PTSD prevalences varied broadly between 0.7 and 17 %. The same applies to dysthymia/neurotic depression (1-26 %). However, similarly low prevalences of major depression (1.3-2.8 %) and panic disorder (0.5-1.3 %) have been observed. Risk factors of PTSD comprised individual, work-related, event-related, and prognostic aspects. Following the traumatic event, a total of 69-81 % of the drivers were absent, and if sick leave occurs, this was on average 3-19 days. Conclusions: It became evident that drivers in public transportation run a high risk of sick leave. It was also striking that despite the immense impact of PUT and high number of suicides, only an infinitesimal number of studies exists. Due to various differences (period of follow-up, instrument of measurement and study period), it turned out that the comparability of the results of the studies is limited. For various reasons, further research is urgently needed, as from an occupational health point of view the issue of posttraumatic diseases and implications for fitness for service should be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors served as psychiatrists during the recent war in Croatia, 1991-1995. From the onset of this armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia, their group provided mental health and psychiatric care to waves of refugees, displaced persons, soldiers and former prisoners of war. Such care was also provided to civilians living under the threat of warfare. In this endeavor, the Croatian health service received considerable assistance from international non-governmental organizations. Since the war, professionals in the mental health field have continued to provide help, support and various kinds of treatment to people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, coping difficulties and personality changes. Four regional psychotrauma centers (RPCs) have been established in Croatia, together with a network of counseling centers set up as governmental agencies. The Regional Psychotrauma Center of Split (southern Croatia) that serves war veterans and their families will be described herein. Research data will be presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kind & Adolescent Praktijk is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recent research supports the hypothesis that more active engagement of the patient in occurring illnesses improves quality of life and probably even life expectancy. In this study experience and theoretical knowledge from psychotherapy is transplanted to clinical practice in order to improve the physician's engagement in the patient-disease relationship. By defining severe and long-term illnesses as a psychotrauma, the transfer of the psychotherapeutical model leads to the creation of a new triangular relationship: patient-illness-doctor. Practical examples are used as illustrations for the conceptual differences between psychotherapy and clinical medicine. Options for dialogue show the difference between adaptation ('learning to live with') and adjustment (active coping strategies and controlling). The hypothesis is that a better dialogue will reduce illness-related stress, giving the patient better and more effective access to personal psychic and physical support systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the sixties on it has become clear how the human physical condition could be influenced by human behavior. Although hypothesis were lacking to understand these connections, nursing research especially proved how systematically introduced patient behavior during illness and hospitalization could induce better recovery results and better prognosis for the patient. Information and attitude proved to be crucial elements in these processes of improved patient expectations. It took less than two decades to get to the insights we have in 1994. Recent research shows the interlocking mechanisms of nervous and endocrine systems with the immune system as significantly being influenced by behavior and especially psychic and or psychosocial stress. This special issue of Theoretical Medicine briefly describes the historical development with contributions on the most recent state of the scientific art. These developments are emphasized by discussion on the clinical reality of the (breast) cancer patient and recent findings on the complexity of the prevalence of cancer in epidemiology. An attempt is made to consider practical consequences of the actual knowledge if applied to patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In cases of physical trauma in childhood and adolescence, psychological sequelae should always be taken into consideration. Diagnostics and therapy: In cases of persisting psychovegetative (somatoform) hyperarousal, avoidance of trauma-associated situations and reliving the traumatic incident, a child or adolescent psychiatrist should be consulted for symptom-oriented diagnostics and when necessary a trauma-focused therapy. The parents should be closely involved in the therapy. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and if necessary treatment of psychological symptoms resulting from physical trauma are essential in order to identify a posttraumatic stress syndrome or even to be able to avoid its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]