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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following Combat Exposure:

Clinical Features and Psychopharmacological Treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Avraham Bleich
Affiliation:
Central Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic, Israel Defence Forces, Mental Health Department
Barry Siegel
Affiliation:
Beth Rivka Geriatric Hospital, Petah Tikvah
Ronald Garb
Affiliation:
Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba
Bernard Lerer*
Affiliation:
Jerusalem Mental Health Center, PO Box 140, Jerusalem, Israel
*
Correspondence

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder may follow combat stress or civilian psychological traumata. In 25 retrospectively studied patients, symptoms were severe in terms of number of DSM–III items fulfilled, chronicity, and severity of psychosocial disability. Antidepressants had good or moderate results in 67% of cases treated, but major tranquilisers were much less effective; response to drug treatment was not clearly related to somatisation symptoms, significant depression, or panic attacks. Pharmacotherapy appeared to have had a positive impact on psychotherapy in 70% of cases.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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