Cognitive distortions, anxiety, and depression in individuals suffering from PTSD

Cognitive distortions are an essential factor in the development and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of the study is to investigate the link between the production of cognitive distortions and PTSD by measuring levels of anxiety and depression. Our sample comprised 183 participants divided into three groups: 59 trauma-exposed with PTSD, 61 trauma-exposed without PTSD, and 63 non-trauma-exposed non-PTSD (controls). All participants were assessed on the following dimensions: PTSD (PCL-5), cognitive distortions (EDC-A), anxiety and depression (HADS). The main results highlight a production of cognitive distortions in people with PTSD, who had significantly more positive than negative cognitive distortions compared to the group exposed to trauma without PTSD. In addition, the PTSD group had higher anxiety and depression scores than the other two groups. Findings indicate that people with PTSD show more positive cognitive distortions than those without PTSD, and that this is not related to levels of anxiety and depression.