title: Comprehensive system Rorschach data on Vietnam combat veterans.
abstract: To better understand and, therefore, treat Vietnam combat veterans with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the Rorschach was administered to 50 patients so diagnosed. The most important findings were that, on average: (a) These patients have a low level of stress tolerance and are, therefore, likely to respond impulsively to stressful situations; (b) this low stress tolerance appears to be a long-term adjustment problem; and (c) their perception of reality is unconventional and often distorted. A primary therapeutic indication from these data is that the use of structure would be important for successful therapy. Other findings and therapeutic recommendations are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Augusta, GA.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blount
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D012392:Rorschach Test; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014744:Vietnam