Chronicity of symptoms in combat veterans with PTSD treated by the VA mental health system.
Self-report questionnaire data, collected at two stages of treatment, are presented for a group of 40 combat veterans with PTSD treated within the VA mental health system. Patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Mississippi Scale, and Dissociative Experiences Scale prior to treatment at a PTSD outpatient clinic and at midtreatment follow-up. Patients' symptom reports at follow-up were not correlated with length of time in treatment. Further, results suggest that patients' self-reported symptoms on these measures do not show evidence of improvement after entry into the VA mental health system. Explanations for this apparent chronicity of symptoms are discussed.
Frueh
B C
BC
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
Mirabella
R F
RF
Chobot
K
K
Fossey
M D
MD
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents