Life is full of unknowns and surprises. Our ability to deal with this uncertainty varies greatly between individuals. Some may see uncertainty as exciting and novel whereas others see it as threatening and overwhelming. Recent research suggests that our ability to tolerate uncertainty may be associated with a risk of developing PTSD as well as the severity of symptoms.
Intolerance of Uncertainty Defined
Intolerance of Uncertainty (or IU) is defined as “an individual’s dispositional incapacity to endure the aversive response triggered by the perceived absence of salient, key, or sufficient information, and sustained by the associated perception of uncertainty” (Carleton, 2016, p 31).
Research of Intolerance of Uncertainty
Research in the early to mid 2000s has demonstrated relationships between intolerance of uncertainty and a number of mental health conditions, including generalized anxiety, depression, hoarding, social anxiety and panic disorder (Raines et al., 2019).
Research of Intolerance of Uncertainty and PTSD
Towards the end of the second decade of the 21st century research has examined the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and PTSD. A 2019 study of veterans by Raines et al., (2019) found that intolerance of uncertainty was associated with an increase in both avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms. A 2017 study of a trauma-exposed sample from the community also found intolerance of uncertainty was significantly related to post traumatic stress disorder symptoms of avoidance, hyperarousal, and emotional numbing, but it was not associated with re-experiencing symptoms (Oglesby et al., 2017).
Furthermore, an earlier study by Oglesby et al., (2016) found that individual’s high on intolerance of uncertainty were at greater risk of developing PTSD after exposure to a trauma.
Changing intolerance of uncertainty
The good news is that researchers have also found that intolerance of uncertainty is changed by therapy. Boswell et al., (2013) found that a significant decrease in intolerance of uncertainty was observed, and this was related to reduced anxiety and depressive symptom levels. Similarly, Dugas & Ladouceur (2000) reported on the treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder, they stated that results showed that treatment outcome was highly related to change in intolerance of uncertainty .
Getting Help
Treatments for PTSD such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) target beliefs that are associated with intolerance of uncertainty. Examples of such beliefs could be “I can’t be in my own, in case something bad happens”; “I can’t be safe unless I know the outcome”. Challenging these beliefs and developing alternative, more
helpful beliefs can lead to less distress and symptom severity.
Don’t let mental health issues, such as PTSD control your life. Take control of your mental health and book an appointment with our team of psychologists at the Centre for Clinical Psychology in Melbourne. Our evidence-based treatments can help you overcome anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. Call us on 03 9077 0122 to book your appointment today or book online.
References
Boswell JF, Thompson-Hollands J, Farchione TJ, Barlow DH. Intolerance of uncertainty: a common factor in the treatment of emotional disorders. J Clin Psychol. 2013 Jun;69(6):630-45. doi: 10.1002/jclp.21965. Epub 2013 Feb 4. PMID: 23381685; PMCID: PMC3712497.
Carleton, R. N. (2016). Into the unknown: A review and synthesis of contemporary models involving uncertainty. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 39, 30–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.02.007
Dugas MJ, Ladouceur R. Treatment of GAD. Targeting intolerance of uncertainty in two types of worry. Behav Modif. 2000 Oct;24(5):635-57. doi: 10.1177/0145445500245002. PMID: 11036732.
Oglesby, M. E., Boffa, J. W., Short, N. A., Raines, A. M., & Schmidt, N. B. (2016). Intolerance of uncertainty as a predictor of post-traumatic stress symptoms following a traumatic event. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, Fearing the Unknown, 41, 82–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.01.005
Oglesby ME, Gibby BA, Mathes BM, Short NA, Schmidt NB. Intolerance of uncertainty and post-traumatic stress symptoms: An investigation within a treatment seeking trauma-exposed sample. Compr Psychiatry. 2017 Jan;72:34-40. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2016.08.011. Epub 2016 Aug 21. PMID: 27710835.
Raines, A. M., Oglesby, M. E., Walton, J. L., True, G., & Franklin, C. L. (2019). Intolerance of uncertainty and DSM-5 PTSD symptoms: Associations among a treatment seeking veteran sample. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 62, 61–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.12.002
