Differences in psychiatrists’ and psychologists’ classification of trauma-related changes of consciousness in PTSD

Introduction Mental trauma may precede persistent changes in a person's mental health in the form of psychosis and dissociation. Presently, there are no subtypes to the diagnosis of PTSD. A psychotic subtype of PTSD has been proposed, and studies show that these patients differ as well in symptoms as biologically from patients with non-psychotic PTSD. Dissociation and psychosis are generally viewed as different phenomena. Where dissociation is understood as a disintegration of the mind, psychosis is viewed as a neurodegenerative disorder on a mainly biological/genetic basis. The delineation of psychotic and dissociative symptoms is not clear however. Objectives Our objective is to clarify, whether psychologists and psychiatrists describe trauma-related changes of consciousness (TCC) differently as dissociative or psychotic. Furthermore, we wish to compare scientific journals, and look for differences in how psychiatrists’ and psychologists’ make use of the terms dissociation and psychosis in relation to TCC. Aims We aim to investigate whether TCC are interpreted differently among psychiatrists and psychologists. Methods This study is a systematic critical review of the literature. The databases PubMed, Embase and PsychInfo will be used. Articles involving PTSD with TCC will be included. Studies will be classified as viewing TCC's as either psychotic or dissociative, based on the terms the authors use to describe the observed phenomena. Results The results will be presented at the EPA in March 2016 in Madrid. Conclusion The study will reveal differences in how psychiatrists and psychologists classify TCC's in PTSD.