Treatment outcome in Australian veterans with combat-related posttraumaticstress disorder: A cause for cautious optimism?

This study investigated treatment outcome in combat-related posttraumatic s tress disorder (PTSD). Participants were 419 Australian Vietnam veterans wh o completed a 12-week hospital-based program. A comprehensive protocol asse ssed PTSD, comorbidity and social functioning at admission and at 3 and 9 m onths posttreatment. Overall, the group showed significant improvements in core PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depression, alcohol abuse, social dysfunction, and angel: Changes occurred mostly between admission and 3 months posttrea tment, with gains maintained at 9 months, Ratings by patients and their par tners indicated perceived improvement and strong satisfaction with treatmen t. Nevertheless, treatment gains,were variable and, for most veterans, cons iderable pathology remained following the programs. The current study provi des grounds for cautious optimism in the treatment of combat-related PTSD.