A2 diagnostic criterion for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder.
Individuals trained to respond to a potentially traumatic event may not experience the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) A2 diagnostic criterion of fear, helplessness, or horror and yet may still report significant PTSD symptoms. The present study included interviews with 202 soldiers returning from a year in Iraq. Although reporting an A2 response was associated with higher PTSD Checklist scores, there were no significant differences in the percentage of subjects who met cutoff criteria for PTSD. The most common alternative A2 responses were related to military training and anger. The A2 criterion for PTSD should be expanded so as not to underestimate the number of individuals trained for high-risk occupations who might benefit from treatment.
Adler
Amy B
AB
US Army Medical Research Unit-Europe, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Heidelberg, Germany. amy.adler@us.army.mil
Wright
Kathleen M
KM
Bliese
Paul D
PD
Eckford
Rachel
R
Hoge
Charles W
CW
D000786:Anger; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008016:Life Change Events; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data