Cosmin O Popa1, Razvan Predatu2,3, Wesley C Lee4, Petronela Blaga2,5, Eliza Sirbu6, Adrian V Rus4, Alexander Clark7, Cristiana Cojocaru6, Alina Schenk6, Vitalie Vacaras8, Simona Szasz9, Simona Muresan10, Cristina Bredicean11. 1. Department of Ethics and Social Sciences, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540142 Tirgu-Mures, Romania. 2. International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 3. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 4. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Southwestern Christian University, Bethany, OK 73008, USA. 5. Doctoral School "Evidence-based Assessment and Psychological Interventions", Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 6. Doctoral School of George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540142 Tirgu-Mures, Romania. 7. College of Education and Professional Studies, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK 73034, USA. 8. Neurology Department, Cluj Emergency County Hospital, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 9. Department of Rheumatology, Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540142 Tirgu-Mures, Romania. 10. Department of Internal Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540142 Tirgu-Mures, Romania. 11. Department of Neuroscience, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: First episode-psychosis (FEP) represents a stressful/traumatic event for patients. To our knowledge, no study to date has investigated thought suppression involved in FEP in a Romanian population. Our objective was to investigate thought suppression occurring during FEP within primary psychotic disorders (PPD) and substance/medication induced psychotic disorders (SMIPD). Further, we examined the relationship between thought suppression and negative automatic thoughts within PPD and SMIPD. METHODS: The study included 30 participants (17 females) with PPD and 25 participants (10 females) with SMIPD. Psychological scales were administered to assess psychotic symptoms and negative automatic thoughts, along a psychiatric clinical interview and a biochemical drug test. RESULTS: Participants in the PPD group reported higher thought suppression compared to SMIPD group. For the PPD group, results showed a positive correlation between thought suppression and automatic thoughts. For the SMIPD group, results also showed a positive correlation between thought suppression and automatic thoughts. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PPD rely more on thought suppression, as opposed to SMIPD patients. Thought suppression may be viewed as an unhealthy reaction to FEP, which is associated with the experience of negative automatic thoughts and might be especially problematic in patients with PPD. Cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended to decrease thought suppression and improve patients' functioning.
INTRODUCTION: First episode-psychosis (FEP) represents a stressful/traumatic event for patients. To our knowledge, no study to date has investigated thought suppression involved in FEP in a Romanian population. Our objective was to investigate thought suppression occurring during FEP within primary psychotic disorders (PPD) and substance/medication induced psychotic disorders (SMIPD). Further, we examined the relationship between thought suppression and negative automatic thoughts within PPD and SMIPD. METHODS: The study included 30 participants (17 females) with PPD and 25 participants (10 females) with SMIPD. Psychological scales were administered to assess psychotic symptoms and negative automatic thoughts, along a psychiatric clinical interview and a biochemical drug test. RESULTS:Participants in the PPD group reported higher thought suppression compared to SMIPD group. For the PPD group, results showed a positive correlation between thought suppression and automatic thoughts. For the SMIPD group, results also showed a positive correlation between thought suppression and automatic thoughts. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with PPD rely more on thought suppression, as opposed to SMIPD patients. Thought suppression may be viewed as an unhealthy reaction to FEP, which is associated with the experience of negative automatic thoughts and might be especially problematic in patients with PPD. Cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended to decrease thought suppression and improve patients' functioning.