1. Psychosomatic diseases as a result of stress caused by robberies.
- Author
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Sabo, T., Vranko, M., Kuharic, D. Bosnjak, Cervenjak, T., Brečić, P., and Jendričko, T.
- Subjects
ROBBERY ,ARMED robbery ,POST-traumatic stress disorder ,PSYCHIATRIC treatment ,PSYCHOTHERAPY - Abstract
Introduction: Response to traumatic event is the result of a complex interaction of many variables: type of stressful event, individual characteristics, subjective response and social support. Objectives: To show effects of different internal and external factors on the development of psychosomatic diseases. Methods: We will present a case of a female patient who developed a series of psychosomatic diseases after she was the victim of five armed robberies. The patient has been in psychiatric outpatient treatment since 2015 under the diagnosis of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Results: Not being able to defend herself and her colleagues fromthe robbers lead to intense feelings of guilt and humiliation that impacted her daily functioning and became a part of her nightmares. After the robbery, patient developed arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, psoriasis vulgaris and inversa. Risk factor for developing psychiatric and psychosomatic symptoms was her cultural background with ideas that women must not reach out for help, have to act as support for others and suppress their own feelings. After the fourth robbery, helplessness, a feeling previously unknown to her, finally led to her first contact with psychiatrist. In her case, strong social support from family members was a protective factor. Conclusions: As a traumatic event, robbery may have consequences on both psychological and physical integrity of the victims leading to different clinical presentations including PTSD and different psychosomatic diseases. Integrative approach comprising of psychotherapy, sociotherapy and pharmacotherapy is essential in complicated cases like this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020