title: Dissociative experiences of Vietnam veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.
abstract: Interest in dissociation has been renewed, and its relationship to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is especially intriguing. In this study 57 consecutively admitted chronic, combat-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder sufferers were grouped by scores on a dissociative scale (Dissociative Experiences Scale). The three groups (high, medium, and low) were compared on personality measures (MMPI basic scales and subscales, and Millon's MCMI), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder measures, and a psychophysiological index of heart rate under baseline trauma conditions. The results showed that the survivors with more dissociative experiences show distinctive and higher symptom levels--excessive fearfulness, symptoms of strange experiences, and high tonic psychophysiological states--as well as greater severity of ratings of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (on the Mississippi Scale). The discussion addressed the possible role of dissociation in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30910.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hyer
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Boudewyns
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brandsma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*