Carcinogenicity and teratogenicity vs. psychogenicity: Psychological characteristics associated with self-reported agent orange exposure among Vietnam combat veterans who seek treatment for substance abuse

Abstract

This study asked, “What are the psychological characteristics of Vietnam combat veterans who claim Agent Orange exposure when compared with combat‐experienced cohorts who do not report such contamination?” The question was researched among 153 heroin addicts, polydrug abusers, and chronic alcoholics who were seeking treatment: 58 reported moderate to high defoliant exposure while in combat; 95 reported minimal to no exposure while in Vietnam. The null hypothesis was accepted for measures of childhood and present family social climate, premilitary backgrounds, reasons for seeking treatment, patterns and types of illicit drug and alcohol use, interpersonal problems, intellectual functioning, and short‐term memory. The null hypothesis was rejected for personality differences, however, those who self‐reported high Agent Orange exposure scored significantly higher on MMPI scales F, Hypochondriasis, Depression, Paranoia, Psychasthenia, Schizophrenia, Mania, and Social interoversion. The results suggest that clinicians carefully assess attributional processing of those who report traumatic experience.

Post‐traumatic stress and associated disorders among Vietnam veterans: The significance of combat exposure and social support

“…Self-reported herbicide exposure also is associated with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. This seems puzzling, but one recent investigation found reports of herbicide exposure related to subjective distress among veterans (Robinowitz et al, 1989). In addition, it has been reported that perceived herbicide exposure is positively associated with a battery of self-reported negative health outcomes (Decoufle, Holmgreen, Boyle, & Stroup, 1992).…”

Skin diseases associated with Agent Orange and other organochlorine exposures

“…45 The increased rates of psychiatric comorbidities in this subset of veterans may suggest a potential psychogenic component to some of the health issues encountered after their Vietnam service, and in the case of perceived Agent Orange exposure, self-reporting and apprehension about the long-term effects may be a vehicle for the expression of psychological distress in some instances. 46 When evaluating the CDC Vietnam experience study, veterans selfreported an increased incidence of parasitic infections, benign neoplasms, dyschromia, unspecified skin symptoms, rash not otherwise specified, psoriasis, hypertrichosis, and urticaria. However, the same study found only a statistically significant increased prevalence of tinea versicolor, milia, and epidermoid cysts when the same veterans were examined by board-certified dermatologists.…”