Victims of rape show increased cortisol responses to trauma reminders
A study in individuals with war-and torture-related PTSD.
Victims of rape show increased cortisol responses to
trauma reminders: A study in individuals with war-and
torture-related PTSD. Gola, H., et al.
In: Psychoneuroendocrinology (2011),
doi:10-1016/j.psyneuen.2011.06.005
Studies investigating cortisol responses to trauma-related
stressors in patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
have yielded inconsistent results. The present study investigated
the effect of the type of trauma experienced on both salivary and
plasma cortisol during confrontation with trauma related
material.
Participants were 30 survivors of war and torture, both male and
female, with and without rape among the traumatic events
experienced. Plasma and salivary cortisol levels were measured at
three time points during a standardized clinical interview. Results
show a significant salivary cortisol responses in PTSD patients who
had been raped compared to those who had not been raped, when
reminded of their traumatic events.
The authors hypothesize, that the nearness of the perpetrator
during the traumatic event might shape later psychophysiological
response to trauma reminders.
By SH,
RCT
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