POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER AND DEPRESSION - AN ANALYSIS OF COMORBIDITY

Background We examined psychiatric morbidity following war-related psy chic trauma, with a special focus on the depressive comorbidity of pos t-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method Subjects consisted of 60 Is raeli veterans who sought psychiatric treatment 4-6 years after having been exposed to war trauma. PTSD and psychiatric comorbidity were dia gnosed using the Structured Interview for PTSD and the Schedule for Af fective Disorders and Schizophrenia. Results Both lifetime (100%) and current (87%) PTSD were the most prevalent disorders. Comorbidity was extensive, with major depressive disorder (MDD) most prevalent (95% li fetime, 50% current), followed by anxiety disorders, minor affective d isorders, and alcoholism or drug misuse. Conclusions Within post-traum atic psychiatric morbidity of combat origin, PTSD and MDD are the most prevalent disorders. In addition it appears that PTSD, although relat ed to post-traumatic MDD beyond a mere sharing of common symptoms, is at the same time differentiated from it as an independent diagnostic c ategory.