PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS IN POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER

Physical complaints are recognised accompaniments of Post-Traumatic St ress Disorder (PTSD). This study investigates the reporting of physica l complaints in a treatment-naive sample of fire-fighters with and wit hout PTSD. Statistically higher rates of cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological symptoms were reported in the PTSD gr oup. Possible explanations are discussed, with an exploration of the c ontribution of arousal, disordered information processing, dissociatio n, comorbid diagnoses and premorbid personality. The role of the origi nal stressor and sociocultural issues are explored.