Does IQ Change From PTSD?
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The relationship between PTSD and IQ is complex and multifaceted. While lower pre-existing IQ may increase the risk of developing PTSD, the disorder itself does not necessarily lead to a decline in IQ. Cognitive dysfunctions associated with PTSD may develop due to the disorder or co-occurring conditions such as depression. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the causal relationships between PTSD and changes in IQ.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. The relationship between PTSD and intelligence quotient (IQ) has been a subject of extensive research. This article aims to explore whether IQ changes as a result of PTSD, drawing on findings from multiple studies.
The Role of Intelligence in PTSD
Several studies have investigated the role of intelligence in the development and severity of PTSD. One study found that lower IQ exerts an adverse effect on trauma victims, with no significant variability by the severity of trauma experienced1. This suggests that lower IQ may be a risk factor for developing PTSD regardless of the trauma’s intensity.
IQ and PTSD Symptomatology in Children
Research on children exposed to interpersonal violence indicates that PTSD symptoms are significantly associated with lower Full Scale and Verbal IQ scores. Performance IQ was only associated with functional impairment2. This suggests that PTSD may negatively impact certain aspects of intelligence, particularly verbal IQ.
Veterans and PTSD
Studies on veterans have provided mixed results. One study found no significant difference in IQ scores between veterans with and without PTSD when accounting for multiple comparisons and symptom validity3. However, another study suggested that lower precombat intelligence is a risk factor for developing PTSD symptoms7. This indicates that pre-existing lower IQ may predispose individuals to PTSD, rather than PTSD causing a decline in IQ.
Cognitive Dysfunctions and PTSD
Research on World War II prisoners of war (POWs) revealed that those with PTSD had average IQs, while those without PTSD had higher than average IQs. PTSD patients performed significantly worse in tests of selective frontal lobe functions and psychomotor speed4. This suggests that cognitive dysfunctions may develop with or subsequent to PTSD, rather than PTSD directly lowering IQ.
Cognitive Profiles in Children and Adolescents
A study comparing cognitive performance profiles of children with PTSD, depression, and controls found that PTSD and depression have different cognitive profiles. The differences in IQ between those with PTSD and those without may be a consequence of their traumatic experience rather than a confounding variable5.
Trauma Types and IQ
Different types of trauma have varying impacts on IQ. For instance, abandonment and personal identity trauma have direct negative effects on IQ, while secondary trauma (e.g., parents’ involvement in war) has a positive effect. Cumulative trauma has a significant negative effect on all IQ components9. This indicates that the type and amount of trauma experienced can influence IQ in different ways.
Early PTSD Symptoms and Cognitive Performance
A study on recent trauma survivors found that those with high levels of PTSD symptoms showed impaired attention and lower IQ. However, these differences disappeared when controlling for depressive symptoms10. This suggests that early PTSD symptoms may be associated with cognitive impairments, but these impairments may also be influenced by co-occurring depression.
Does IQ change from PTSD?
Ian Silver has answered Likely
An expert from University of Cincinnati in Intelligence, Behavioural Science, Social Sciences
Intelligence can not change from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because PTSD is a mental health affliction that has a limited influence on intelligence. Decreased intelligence and PTSD, however, can be correlated. This correlation can occur when an individual is exposed to traumatic events that cause both physical and psychological deprivations. For example, traumatic brain injury has been associated with decreases in intelligence and increases in PTSD. Additionally, severe deprivation could influence decreases in intelligence and increases in PTSD. Nonetheless, the research on the factors influencing both decreases in intelligence and increases in PTSD has been limited. As such, the association between decreases in intelligence and increases in PTSD needs to be further examined.
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