Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Lindberg, N. M. Articles by Wellisch, D. K. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Lindberg, N. M. Articles by Wellisch, D. K. Cancer Stress

Identification of Traumatic Stress Reactions in Women at Increased Risk for Breast Cancer

Received Oct. 24, 2002; revision received March 13, 2003; accepted March 18, 2003. From the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, Los Angeles. Address reprint requests to Dr. Lindberg, P.O. Box 920811, Needham, MA 02492; nlindberg{at}attbi.com (e-mail).

It has been shown that the diagnosis and treatment of cancer may constitute a traumatic event that generates in patients and some of their family members traumatic reactions that are consistent with the symptom profile of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study was conducted to establish the degree to which women at increased familial risk for breast cancer showed such traumatic reactions and to establish which demographic or psychological variables may contribute to the experience of such traumatic reactions in at-risk individuals. Seventy-three women from the Revlon UCLA Breast Center High Risk Clinic were assessed for traumatic reactions that might be consistent with the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. The results showed that women at increased risk for breast cancer exhibited traumatic responses similar to those reported by cancer patients. When the authors used a self-report instrument that maps onto DSM-IV criteria, 4% of the study subjects reported symptoms consistent with criteria for a potential diagnosis of PTSD, and an additional 7% of the subjects reported symptoms consistent with potentially subclinical levels of PTSD, according to DSM-IV criteria.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. S. Khashan, R. McNamee, K. M. Abel, M. G. Pedersen, R. T. Webb, L. C. Kenny, P. B. Mortensen, and P. N. Baker Reduced Infant Birthweight Consequent Upon Maternal Exposure to Severe Life Events Psychosom Med, July 1, 2008; 70(6): 688 - 694. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. A. Hamann, T. J. Somers, A. W. Smith, S. S. Inslicht, and A. Baum Posttraumatic Stress Associated With Cancer History and BRCA1/2 Genetic Testing Psychosom Med, September 1, 2005; 67(5): 766 - 772. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. S. L. MOL, A. ARNTZ, J. F.M. METSEMAKERS, G.-J. DINANT, P. A. P. VILTERS-VAN MONTFORT, and J. A. KNOTTNERUS Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after non-traumatic events: evidence from an open population study The British Journal of Psychiatry, June 1, 2005; 186(6): 494 - 499. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2004 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us