The hidden price and possible benefit of repeated traumatic exposure

摘要: There is a growing evidence showing that first-responders who are frequently exposed to traumatic events as part of their occupational routine may pay hidden price. Although they display low moderate levels post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, similar individuals with full-blown PTSD, show impaired ability process and react according contextual demands. We aimed test whether this impairment affects performance on simple unrelated tasks its association cumulative exposure level PTSD symptoms. Thirty-nine trauma-exposed criminal scene investigator police 35 unexposed civilians matched for age, gender, education performed discrimination task in the presence aversive pictures or high intensity. predicted found failed modify behavior accordance negative Hence were equally distracted both intensity conditions, compared controls showed improved conditions. Importantly, conditions negatively correlated These results highlight maladaptive tendency repeated maintain same low-intensity when it no longer adequate. Interestingly however, high-intensity outperformed controls. Specifically, completing The suggest has positive consequences way interpret environment.