title: Posttraumatic stress disorder following diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) recognizes life-threatening illness as a potential stressor that can precipitate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study represents the first study of PTSD in the context of having a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Fifty-eight MS patients were administered the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and Disease Steps Questionnaire. Nine participants (16%) met symptom criteria for PTSD. In terms of those who satisfied the reexperiencing criterion, 75% of participants reported intrusions related to future-oriented concerns about their prognosis. These findings suggest that a significant proportion of MS patients experience PTSD-type reactions. These results are discussed in terms of the suitability of the PTSD framework to account for the distinctive nature of stress reactions secondary to life-threatening illness.
authors.affiliation: University of New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chalfant
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fulcher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*