title: Traumatic stress disorders following first-trimester spontaneous abortion.
abstract: Provide counsel and support to women after a spontaneous abortion. Research indicates that many women will talk with their physician about their emotional distress and that physicians provide good information after the spontaneous abortion. Evaluate women for acute stress disorder (ASD) after a spontaneous abortion. Research found that women reporting physical, emotional, or sexual abuse are more likely to experience ASD. Patients should be assessed for post-traumatic stress disorder in follow-up visits 1 month after the initial visit. Research has found that up to 25% of women meet criteria for PTSD 1 month post the spontaneous abortion and 7% met criteria at 4 months. Physicians should refer women who are experiencing traumatic stress to a behavioral health professional.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. sbowles@usuhs.mil
authors.forename: Stephen V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Bowles
authors.forename: Rebecca S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Epperly
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Woodward
authors.forename: Karni
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ginzburg
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Folen
authors.forename: Theresita
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koopman
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D040921:Stress Disorders, Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology