Follow up of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in Australian servicemen hospitalized in 1942-1952.
OBJECTIVE
To follow up survivors of Australian services hospitalized in 1942-1952 and compare their reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with symptoms in their hospital files.


METHODS
Twelve survivors were interviewed and combatants completed the revised Impact of Event Scale.


RESULTS
Eight survivors had symptoms satisfying a diagnosis of PTSD at the time of the study. There was underreporting of most relevant symptoms in their hospital files.


CONCLUSIONS
PTSD symptoms were probably common during and after World War II. The findings have implications for the management of PTSD generally and the treatment of ageing WWII veterans in particular.
Watson
Paddy Burges
PB
Hobart Clinic, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Daniels
Brett
B
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004325:Dreams; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006753:Hospital Records; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013648:Tasmania; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D047789:World War II