New study finds that those with neurotic tendencies more at risk for PTSD

Highly stressful or traumatic events can impact people in different ways, but for those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the condition is a result of constant and intense daily physical and emotional reminders of the incident. Similar to those who buy Paxil from an online pharmacy to treat anxiety, these symptoms can last for months after the event, and can dramatically affect the individual.

Analyzing those at risk
According to a new study by researchers at Michigan State University (MSU), there are certain people who, after experiencing a traumatic event, are more likely to be susceptible to PTSD, due to higher levels of chronic anxiety or depression. These findings are published in the most recent issue of the journal Psychological Medicine.

Naomi Breslau, Ph.D, psychiatric epidemiologist professor at MSU, worked with a team of researchers to analyze data from a study of about 1,000 randomly selected residents of the southeast Michigan area. The decade-long survey at first gauged the levels of neuroticism in the participants. Defined by the U.S. National Institutes of Health as a psychological trait that has a tendency to make individuals respond with negative emotion to threat, frustration or loss, high levels of neuroticism can potentially be a predictor of the quality of life and longevity.

After providing follow-ups three, five and 10 years later, the study found that half the participants experienced a traumatic event during the decade-long period. As many experiments assess participants' personalities following traumatic experiences, this study was unique in that it measured neuroticism prior to those individuals developing PTSD, noted Breslau.

"We need to be concerned about people with previous psychiatric disorders if there's some kind of catastrophe," said Breslau. "The main thing is that doctors have to look after their patients, ask them questions and get to know them."

Individuals who are more susceptible
The study concluded that those with higher levels of neuroticism were more likely to be among the 5 percent who would develop PTSD, based on the data collected. Though Breslau made note that there isn't much that can be done to prevent PTSD from happening, doctors who are informed of their patients' susceptibility can be more knowledgeable prior to devising treatments.

"There have been studies of neuroticism and PTSD, but they've all been retrospective," explained Breslau. "We're never sure of the order of things in a retrospective study. This study sets it in a clear time order."