Postpsychotic posttraumatic stress disorder associations with fear of recurrence and intolerance of uncertainty

Abstract

Experiencing psychosis can be sufficiently distressing to precipitate symptoms of postpsychotic posttraumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD). The current research sought to investigate potential associations that PP-PTSD had with the Fear of Recurrence Scale and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Twenty-seven individuals diagnosed with DSM-IV Schizophrenia and adjudged to be distressed by their experience of psychosis were recruited by referral to the study. The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale was used to assess participants for PP-PTSD. Clinical rating scales (PANSS, HADS, and IES-R) and measures assessing appraisals of paranoia and hallucinatory voices (BAPS and IVI) were also employed. The prevalence rate of PP-PTSD in the sample was 37%. PP-PTSD caseness was associated with being fearful about psychosis recurring, being intolerant of uncertainty, and making negative appraisals of paranoia. Logistical regression analyses indicated that fear of recurrence was a significant predictor of PP-PTSD caseness. The implications of these results for understanding how fear and worry processes might influence emotional adaptation following psychosis are discussed.