Psychotic symptoms in combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder.
The presence of psychotic symptoms in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has already been recognized. Using the Structured Clinical Interview Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, we searched for and assessed psychotic symptoms in 91 males suffering from combat-related PTSD. Hallucinations and delusions were present in 20% of patients. We divided all patients into three groups: the group with hallucinations and delusions, the group without these symptoms, and the group with "subthreshold" psychotic symptoms. Using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, and Structured Clinical Interview Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, we investigated differences between groups in the intensity of traumatization, severity of PTSD symptoms, and the frequency of depression. There were no significant differences between groups; however, there was one exception: severity of hyperarousal symptoms was positively correlated with occurrence of psychotic symptoms.
Kastelan
Ana
A
Center for Psychotrauma, Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Cambierieva 15, Rijeka, Croatia, 51 000.
Francisković
Tanja
T
Moro
Ljiljana
L
Roncević
Grzeta Ika
GI
Grković
Jasna
J
Jurcan
Vlatka
V
Lesica
Tomislav
T
Graovac
Mirjana
M
Girotto
Igor
I
D000328:Adult; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D017523:Croatia; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D008890:Military Psychiatry; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014857:Warfare