Involuntary Memories of War-Related Scenes in Veterans With PTSD

Studies suggest that general control deficits and elevated affect intensity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) extend beyond memory for the index trauma. However, few researchers have pursued this possibility experimentally by examining novel events. We used an experimental design to measure frequency characteristics of involuntary memories over time. Veterans with without PTSD saw pictures neutral war-related scenes. Half participants completed involuntary-retrieval task immediately after encoding, whereas other half retrieval 1 week. had stronger emotional reactions their scenes regardless original valence. The impact specificity did not diminish time veterans but so group. findings are consistent increased response a range include—but limited to—memories traumatic