Guilt, shame and social withdrawal in the context of post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Background: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe, chronic mental illness, with high levels of psychiatric and somatic comorbidities, suicide risk and high mortality. Moreover, PTSD predict financial problems. Patients with PTSD have difficulties with socialization; they withdraw from society, the risk of drug and alcohol addictions increased. Objective: to analyze the course of PTSD in the context of guilt, shame and social isolation. Results: endophenotypical approach to the diagnosis of PTSD, particular features of PTSD in Ukraine was presented, a detailed phenomenological analysis of shame and guilt, typical traumatic interpretation and automatic thoughts was analyzed, a new category – an acute social withdrawal in the context of PTSD was introduced. Conclusions: unusual growth of stress related disorders and the beginning of a rapid increase in the prevalence of PTSD, as well as the first experience of diagnosis and treatment of a large number of patients showed not only the successes, but also problems at all stages of treatment and rehabilitation.