- 10.00: Trial lecture
- 12.00: Public defence
The ordinary opponents are:
- First opponent: Professor Francois Pouwer, University of Southern Denmark
- Second opponent: Professor Petter Andreas Ringen, University of Oslo
- Leader of the evaluation committee: Associate Professor Alina Coman, OsloMet
The leader of the public defense is Associate Professor Trine Lise Bakken, OsloMet.
The main supervisor is Professor Lars Lien, University of Inland Norway.
The co-supervisors are Professor Dawit Shawel Abebe, OsloMet, Associate Professor Ingeborg Bolstad, University of Inland Norway and Professor Jan Olav Aaseth, University of Inland Norway.
Thesis abstract
Psychological trauma affects not only the mind – but also the body!
People who have experienced trauma have a greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes than the general population. This is the main finding of a new doctoral dissertation that explores the connection between psychological trauma and physical illnesses.
Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome – a collective term for factors such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and poor cholesterol can, in turn, lead to cardiovascular diseases and reduce life expectancy.
But how can trauma have such a profound effect on the body?
Through three studies, this dissertation investigates this complex relationship in order to improve treatment and care for patients who suffer from psychological trauma.
The first study
The first study explored how psychological trauma can influence eating behavior, a important factor for the risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Interviews with patients revealed that food often was used as a coping mechanism to manage stress, emotions, and memories of their traumatic experiences. Many of them also described how their eating habits were controlled by stress and emotions.
Some reported an experience of addiction to food and sweets, while others experienced loss of appetite and lack of energy to prepare meals.
These findings provide important knowledge for healthcare professionals who work with patients struggling with food-related challenges after experiencing trauma.
The second study
The second study followed a large group of patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over several years.
The results showed that the patients with diagnosed PTSD had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes than the general population without a diagnosed PTSD.
The risk was particularly high for obesity, metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes. Some of this increased risk could be explained by low socioeconomic status and comorbid mental health conditions such as depression.
The third study
The third study examined the risk of metabolic syndrome among hospitalized patients with psychological trauma. These patients had a higher risk of metabolic syndrome than the blood donors, even after adjusting for factors such as smoking, education, and diet.
The study suggests that mental distress and symptoms of eating disorders, poor sleep, and physical inactivity may contribute to this increased risk.
Findings
This research highlights that psychological trauma affects both the mind and the body. Patients who have experienced trauma therefore require holistic care and treatment that address both their mental and physical health needs.
The findings also emphasize the need for measures to reduce social health disparities.
While this dissertation makes an important contribution to understanding how psychological trauma impacts the whole person – both body and mind – and underscores the need for a holistic approach to treatment, many questions remain unanswered.
Further research is necessary to better understand the mechanisms involved and to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
