The findings of international studies suggest high rates of
interpersonal violence and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among patients
with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Only few studies, however, have so far
been conducted in the German-speaking countries.
In N = 145 consecutively admitted patients with
schizophrenia spectrum disorders (67 % male) the structured trauma interview
(STI) was used to assess experiences of interpersonal violence and the
structured clinical interview for DSM-IV (SCID) to assess comorbid PTSD.
Sexual violence under the age of 16 years was reported by
17 % of the patients (women 27 %, men 12 %). Approximately one third (32 %)
reported physical violence by parental figures (women 38 %, men 29 %). At least
one form of early violence (sexual or physical) was reported by half of the
women (48 %) and one third of the men (34 %).
Negative sexual experiences later
in life were reported by 17 %, physical violence by 38 % and at least one of
these forms by 48 % of the patients. In total two thirds of all patients (66 %)
reported experiences of violence during their lifetime. The prevalence of acute
PTSD was 12 %. Another 9 % of patients had a subsyndromal PTSD.
The present study confirmed the high rates of experiences of
interpersonal violence and comorbid PTSD in a German sample of patients with
schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Violence and it's consequences should
therefore be routinely assessed and the full spectrum of trauma-specific
therapies should be integrated into the treatment of this group of patients.
By: Schäfer I1, Eiroa-Orosa FJ, Schroeder K, Harfst T, Aderhold V.
1Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
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