Psychotic Symptoms in PTSD printed

Researchers at the University of Manitoba, Columbia University, and the University of Regina examined the data on 5,877
people from across the United States in order to determine the rates with which people with PTSD experience different
psychotic symptoms. They found that among people with PTSD, the experience of positive psychotic symptoms was most
common.6 Approximately 52 percent of people who reported having PTSD at some point in their lifetime also reported
experiencing a positive psychotic symptom.

Most Common Psychotic Symptoms in PTSD

The most common positive symptoms in the study above were:

 Believing that other people were spying on or following them (27.5 percent)
 Seeing something that others couldn't see (19.8 percent)

 Having unusual feelings inside or outside of their bodies, such as feeling as though they were being touched when
no one was really there (16.8 percent)

 Believing that they could hear what someone else was thinking (12.4 percent)

 Being bothered by strange smells that no one else could smell (10.3 percent)

 Believing that their behaviors and thoughts were being controlled by some power or force (10 percent)

Not surprisingly, it appears that the more PTSD symptoms you're experiencing, the greater the likelihood that you will also
experience positive psychotic symptoms.

Researchers have also looked at which traumatic events are most commonly related to the experience of psychotic
symptoms. The events that put people most at risk include being involved in a natural disaster, seeing someone injured or
killed, or experiencing shock as a result of a traumatic event that happened to a loved one.

What This Means

The experience of psychotic symptoms may tell the story of just how severe a person's case of PTSD is and how well he or
she is coping with the condition. It may also raise red flags about the likelihood of potentially dangerous behaviours.

It has been suggested that the experience of psychotic symptoms in those with PTSD may be connected to the experience
of dissociation described above. Frequent dissociation may increase the risk for the development of psychotic symptoms.7

Studies have shown that people with PTSD who experience psychotic symptoms, as compared to those with PTSD who do
not, may be at greater risk for a number of problems, including suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and greater overall
distress. It's important for everyone with PTSD and their loved ones to know the risk factors and warning signs of suicide.

Risk Factors

Risk factors can include both the situations someone experiences and how someone is feeling internally. Though it may be
easier to recognize situations and times when suicide is more common, understanding how someone is feeling inside
requires a little more detective work.

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Associated Situations
Certain conditions/situations are associated with an increased risk of suicide:3
 Death or terminal illness of a relative or friend
 Divorce, separation or the breakup of a relationship

 Loss of health (real or imagined)

 Loss of job, home, money, status, self-esteem or personal security

 Alcohol abuse or drug abuse

 Depression

In addition, there are certain times when people may be more prone to suicidal feelings, such as:

 Holidays and anniversaries

 The first week after discharge from a hospital

 When treatment with an antidepressant first begins

 Just before and after diagnosis of a major illness (for example, the risk of suicide in cancer patients is highest
shortly after diagnosis rather than after a cancer has spread or progressed)4

 Just before and during disciplinary proceedings

Emotional and Behavioural Changes

Emotionally, the suicidal person may be feeling:5
 Overwhelming pain
 Hopelessness

 Powerlessness

 Worthlessness, shame, guilt or self-hatred

 Fear of losing control and harming themselves or others

Behaviourally, the person may: 5

 Appear sad, withdrawn, tired, apathetic, anxious, irritable, or prone to angry outbursts
 Not be performing well in school, work, or other activities

 Become socially isolated or fall in with the wrong crowd

 Have declining interest in sex, friends, or activities previously enjoyed

 Neglect personal welfare or let their appearance go

 Experience a change in eating or sleeping habits

Warning Signs

Suicide warning signs which you should be aware of include:5

 Depression
 Previous suicide attempts

 Preoccupation with death

 Statements like, "you would be better off without me" or "I wish I were dead"

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 Talking openly about wanting to kill oneself

 Development of a suicide plan, acquiring the means to carry it out, "rehearsal" behaviour, setting a time for the
attempt

 Making out a will or giving away favourite possessions

 Inappropriately saying goodbye

 Making ambiguous statements like, "You won't have to worry about me anymore", "I wish I could go to sleep and
never wake up" or "I just can't take it anymore"

 Suddenly switching from being very depressed to being very happy or calm for no apparent reason