Stalin's gulag prisoners and prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder

Seven Russians who survived Stalin's purges were interviewed in Siberia. Th e interviews included survivors' stories of arrests and gulag (work camp) e xperiences to ascertain the magnitude of trauma. While participants did not meet full DSM-IV criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), they d id exhibit symptoms sufficient to qualify as partial PTSD. Findings also su pport that (a) those exposed to human remains suffer more symptoms of PTSD; (b) trauma symptoms are less potent the younger children are, provided the re is a support system at the time of trauma; and (c) current knowledge of exact dates from past trauma seems to facilitate emotional equilibrium.