ANALYSIS OF LONG-TERM STRESS REACTIONS IN EMERGENCY ROOM PATIENTS - AN INITIAL STUDY

The psychological stress reactions of 44 family medicine patients who were treated in the emergency room were examined approximately a year after the event. Patients were assessed on several psychological measu res, including one for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and on the ir perception of how stressful the event was initially and now. Result s show continuing stress reactions related to the emergency room event . Three patients endorsed symptoms indicating full PTSD and 13 appeare d to have at least partial PTSD. Age appeared to be a factor in the pr esence of stress symptoms and in degree of perceived communication wit h the physician.