title: Posttraumatic stress disorder in patients with traumatic brain injury and amnesia for the event?
abstract: Frequency of DSM-III-R posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was studied in 47 active-duty service members (46 male, 1 female; mean age 27 = 7) with moderate traumatic brain injury and neurogenic amnesia for the event. Patients had attained "oriented and cooperative" recovery level. When evaluated with a modified Present State Examination and other questions at various points from study entry to 24-month follow-up, no patients met full criteria for PTSD or met criterion B (reexperience); 6 (13%) met both C (avoidance) and D (arousal) criteria. Five of these 6 also had organic mood disorder, depressed type, and/or organic anxiety disorder. Posttraumatic amnesia following moderate head injury may protect against recurring memories and the development of PTSD. Some patients with neurogenic amnesia may develop a form of PTSD without the reexperiencing symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-5001, USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Warden
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Labbate
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sheley
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Staudenmeier
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000647:Amnesia / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology