Medicus, Vol. 10 No. 1_Moždani udar, 2001.
Review article
Psychotrauma and Stroke
Vera Folnegović-Šmalc
Maja Bajs-Bjegović
Abstract
The influence of psychotrauma and psychological
stress event on psychophysiological response of the
organism (the development of normal or pathological reaction
to stress or trauma) is an important field of research in the recent
decades, motivated by discovering high risk groups that
can develop consequent adverse reactions and accommodation
problems. Stroke is an acute cerebral disease manifested
as the brain infarction or hemorrhage. The cause is a pathological
process affecting blood vessels. Atherosclerosis,
which brings to atherothrombosis, is a common risk factor for
the development of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Studies
tie the role of psychosocial factors in the development of
atherosclerotic disease, but there are only a few presenting
the direct connection of psychotrauma and development of
stroke. The research works of Croatian scientists show that
exposure to long-lasting stress and unfavorable socio-economic
factors increase the risk of stroke. According to current
knowledge, we can ascertain that: psychotrauma in only a
small number of persons leads to positive consequences and
choice of defense mechanisms. In a significantly larger number
of traumatized persons the consequences of psychoatrauma
have negative connotations affecting both mental and
somatic health. In psychic area there are inadequate defense
mechanisms, and in somatic area there are numerous disorders
that can directly or indirectly be risk factors for the development
of many disturbances, including stroke.
Keywords
psychotrauma as a risk factor; stroke; post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Hrčak ID:
19333
URI
Publication date:
26.1.2001.
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