Bc. Frueh et al., CHRONICITY OF SYMPTOMS IN COMBAT VETERANS WITH PTSD TREATED BY THE VAMENTAL-HEALTH SYSTEM, Psychological reports, 75(2), 1994, pp. 843-848
Self-report questionnaire data, collected at two stages of treatment,
are presented for a group of 40 combat veterans with PTSD treated with
in the VA mental health system. Patients completed the Beck Depression
Inventory, Mississippi Scale, and Dissociative Experiences Scale prio
r to treatment at a PTSD outpatient clinic and at midtreatment follow-
up. Patients' symptom reports at follow-up were not correlated with le
ngth of time in treatment. Further, results suggest that patients' sel
f-reported symptoms on these measures do not show evidence of improvem
ent after entry into the VA mental health system. Explanations for thi
s apparent chronicity of symptoms are discussed.