Peritraumatic dissociation mediates the relationship between acute panic and chronic posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Although peritraumatic dissociation predicts subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little is understood about the mechanism of this relationship. This study examines the role of panic during trauma in the relationship between peritraumatic dissociation and subsequent PTSD. Randomized eligible admissions to 4 major trauma hospitals across Australia (n= 244) were assessed during hospital admission and within one month of trauma exposure for panic, peritraumatic dissociation and PTSD symptoms, and subsequently re-assessed for PTSD three months after the initial assessment (n= 208). Twenty (9.6%) patients met criteria for PTSD at 3-months post injury. Structural equation modeling supp..