Chronicity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and predictors of course of comorbid PTSD in patients with anxiety disorders

Authors
Zlotnick, C Warshaw, M Shea, MA Allsworth, J Pearlstein, T Keller, MB
Citation
C. Zlotnick et al., Chronicity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and predictors of course of comorbid PTSD in patients with anxiety disorders, J TRAUMA ST, 12(1), 1999, pp. 89-100
Citations number
31
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS
ISSN journal
08949867 → ACNP
Volume
12
Issue
1
Year of publication
1999
Pages
89 - 100
Database
ISI
SICI code
0894-9867(199901)12:1<89:CIPSD(>2.0.ZU;2-K
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the course of comorbid posttraumat ic stress disorder (PTSD) in 54 patients with another anxiety disorder Usin g a prospective longitudinal design, the present study found that during th e first 5 years of follow-up the probability of full remission from a chron ic episode of PTSD was .18 Findings from this and other research confirm cl inical impressions that a substantial number of people never fully remit fr om their PTSD even after many years. Variables associated with a longer tim e to remit from an episode of chronic PTSD were a history of alcohol abuse and a history of childhood trauma.