Maladaptive autonomic regulation in PTSD accelerates physiological aging
A core manifestation of posttraumatic stress disorder is a disconnection between physiological state and psychological and behavior processes necessary to adequately respond to environmental demands. Patients with PTSD experience oscillations in autonomic states that support either fight and flight...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2015-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01571/full |
| _version_ | 1811259189879635968 |
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| author | John B Williamson John B Williamson Eric C Porges Eric C Porges Damon eLamb Damon eLamb Stephen W Porges |
| author_facet | John B Williamson John B Williamson Eric C Porges Eric C Porges Damon eLamb Damon eLamb Stephen W Porges |
| author_sort | John B Williamson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A core manifestation of posttraumatic stress disorder is a disconnection between physiological state and psychological and behavior processes necessary to adequately respond to environmental demands. Patients with PTSD experience oscillations in autonomic states that support either fight and flight behaviors or withdrawal, immobilization, and dissociation without an intervening calm state that would provide opportunities for positive social interactions. This defensive autonomic disposition is adaptive in dangerous and life threatening situations, but in the context of every-day life may lead to significant psychosocial distress and deteriorating social relationships. The perpetuation of these maladaptive autonomic responses, may contribute to the development of comorbid mental health issues such as depression, loneliness, and hostility that further modify the nature of cardiovascular behavior in the context of internal and external stressors. Over time, changes in autonomic, endocrine, and immune function contribute to deteriorating health, which is potently expressed in brain dysfunction and cardiovascular health. In this theoretical review paper, we review the literature on the chronic health effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. We discuss the brain networks underlying post-traumatic stress disorder in the context of autonomic efferent and afferent contributions and how disruption of these networks leads to poor health outcomes. Finally, we discuss treatments based on our theoretical model of posttraumatic stress disorder. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:26:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c06e72eb0d1540e5b26f6d5dbaf299b6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:26:47Z |
| publishDate | 2015-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-c06e72eb0d1540e5b26f6d5dbaf299b62022-12-22T03:21:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782015-01-01510.3389/fpsyg.2014.01571108546Maladaptive autonomic regulation in PTSD accelerates physiological agingJohn B Williamson0John B Williamson1Eric C Porges2Eric C Porges3Damon eLamb4Damon eLamb5Stephen W Porges6University of FloridaMalcom Randall VAMCMalcom Randall VAMCUniversity of FloridaUniversity of FloridaMalcom Randall VAMCUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel HillA core manifestation of posttraumatic stress disorder is a disconnection between physiological state and psychological and behavior processes necessary to adequately respond to environmental demands. Patients with PTSD experience oscillations in autonomic states that support either fight and flight behaviors or withdrawal, immobilization, and dissociation without an intervening calm state that would provide opportunities for positive social interactions. This defensive autonomic disposition is adaptive in dangerous and life threatening situations, but in the context of every-day life may lead to significant psychosocial distress and deteriorating social relationships. The perpetuation of these maladaptive autonomic responses, may contribute to the development of comorbid mental health issues such as depression, loneliness, and hostility that further modify the nature of cardiovascular behavior in the context of internal and external stressors. Over time, changes in autonomic, endocrine, and immune function contribute to deteriorating health, which is potently expressed in brain dysfunction and cardiovascular health. In this theoretical review paper, we review the literature on the chronic health effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. We discuss the brain networks underlying post-traumatic stress disorder in the context of autonomic efferent and afferent contributions and how disruption of these networks leads to poor health outcomes. Finally, we discuss treatments based on our theoretical model of posttraumatic stress disorder.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01571/fullAgingAutonomic Nervous SystemPTSDchronic stressPolyvagal Theory |
| spellingShingle | John B Williamson John B Williamson Eric C Porges Eric C Porges Damon eLamb Damon eLamb Stephen W Porges Maladaptive autonomic regulation in PTSD accelerates physiological aging Frontiers in Psychology Aging Autonomic Nervous System PTSD chronic stress Polyvagal Theory |
| title | Maladaptive autonomic regulation in PTSD accelerates physiological aging |
| title_full | Maladaptive autonomic regulation in PTSD accelerates physiological aging |
| title_fullStr | Maladaptive autonomic regulation in PTSD accelerates physiological aging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Maladaptive autonomic regulation in PTSD accelerates physiological aging |
| title_short | Maladaptive autonomic regulation in PTSD accelerates physiological aging |
| title_sort | maladaptive autonomic regulation in ptsd accelerates physiological aging |
| topic | Aging Autonomic Nervous System PTSD chronic stress Polyvagal Theory |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01571/full |
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