title: Differential symptom pattern of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in maltreated children with and without concurrent depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study attempted to examine specific differences in the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology among abused children with and without concurrent depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  PTSD and depressive symptoms were identified that discriminate between 98 children divided into three groups: (1) abused children with PTSD, (2) nonabused children who meet criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and (3) abused children with both PTSD and MDD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyses revealed that nine items reflecting depressive symptomatology, primarily vegetative symptoms, differentiated the diagnostic groups (PTSD-only, MDD-only, and the combined group). A discriminant analysis revealed that the sum of responses to the nine significant items adequately predicted diagnostic classification for those with PTSD and depression, but did not correctly diagnose any in the combined group. Analyses also revealed that three post-trauma symptoms, including psychological amnesia, flashbacks/reenactments, and sleep difficulties, discriminated between the groups. The PTSD-only group reported more episodes of psychological amnesia while the PTSD and MDD group experienced more flashbacks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the sample of abused children examined, these results illuminate differences with respect to PTSD symptom presentation for those children with PTSD who have a concurrent depressive disorder and their nondepressed counterparts. Children with PTSD who have a concurrent depression report greater levels of intrusive PTSD-related symptoms.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine, Center for Children's Support, Stratford 08084, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Runyon
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faust
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Orvaschel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014481:United States