Concurrent Psychiatric Illness in Inpatients with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

The discharge diagnoses of 374 inpatients on a VA Medical Center general psychiatry ward were reviewed. Sixty-three (16.8%) were diagnosed as having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mean number of diagnoses was 2.9 for the PTSD group, compared with 1.4 for the non-PTSD patients. The most common comorbid conditions in the PTSD patients were alcohol abuse, unipolar major depression, substance abuse, atypical psychosis, and intermittent explosive disorder. All of these disorders except substance abuse occurred significantly more frequently in the PTSD patients than in those free of PTSD. Schizophrenia and organic mental disorders occurred significantly more frequently in the non-PTSD group. These results suggest a need for thorough psychiatric evaluation in patients with PTSD and the need to evaluate for PTSD when combat veterans present with one of several psychiatric syndromes mentioned above.

Violence, trauma, and post‐traumatic stress disorder among women drug users

“…Other studies have demonstrated a significant association between substance abuse and being a victim of sexual abuse, both during childhood and adulthood (Wallace, 1991; Paone et aZ., 1992; Dembo et af., 1988). Given the prevalence of such victimization among women substance abusers, comorbidity of addictive disorders and PTSD would appear to be highly likely.A number of studies have examined rates of comorbidity of PTSD and substance abuse (Boudewyns et al, 1991; Hyer et aI., 1991; McFafl et al., 1991;Breslau et al, 1991;Breslau and Davis, 1987;Druley and Pashko, 1988;Hryvniak and Rosse, 1989;Kulka et al, 1990). Several findings emerge from these studies.…”

Presentations and management of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the elderly: a need for investigation

“…Divorce, unemployment, accident rates and suicide rates are all increased in PTSD sufferers. (Helzer et al, 1987;Hryvniak, 1989;Shore et al, 1989;Davidson et al, 1991;McFarlane and Papay, 1992;Davidson and Fairbank, 1993).…”

Borderline Personality Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Vietnam Veterans

“…PTSD frequently does not occur in isolation but rather is accompanied by other personality disturbances. These conditions include antisocial personality disorder (Kulka et al, 1990), depression (Boman, 1986;Keane & Wolfe, 1990;Solomon, 1989;Hryvniak & Rosse, 1989;McKearn, 1988), bipolar disorder (Lucking, 1986), personality disorders (Keane & Wolfe, 1990), and obsessive-compulsive tendencies (Solomon, 1989).…”