Back to table of contents Previous article Next article ArticleNo AccessHeterogeneity of PTSDLAWRENCE C. KOLBLAWRENCE C. KOLBSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:1 Apr 2006https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.146.6.811-aAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail "Heterogeneity of PTSD." American Journal of Psychiatry, 146(6), pp. 811-a–812 Access content To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access. Personal login Institutional Login Sign in via OpenAthens Purchase Save for later Item saved, go to cart PPV Articles - American Journal of Psychiatry $35.00 Add to cart PPV Articles - American Journal of Psychiatry Checkout Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability. Not a subscriber? Subscribe Now / Learn More PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development. Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.). FiguresReferencesCited byDetailsCited byUnity or Anarchy? A Historical Search for the Psychological Consequences of Psychotrauma23 February 2023 | Review of General Psychology, Vol. 47Depression and Anxiety, Vol. 28, No. 9Posttraumatic Relationship Syndrome24 July 2016 | Clinical Case Studies, Vol. 5, No. 3A Jacksonian and Biopsychosocial Hypothesis Concerning Borderline and Related Phenomena17 November 2016 | Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 33, No. 6General Hospital Psychiatry, Vol. 20, No. 4Comment17 November 2016 | Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 31, No. 2An Integrative Two-Factor Model of Post-Traumatic StressComplex PTSDMedical Journal of Australia, Vol. 160, No. 3Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol. 5, No. 3 Volume 146Issue 6 June 1989Pages 811-a-812 Metrics PDF download History Published online 1 April 2006 Published in print 1 June 1989

Many types of external trauma have been linked to the genesis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and yet recent reports have focused almost exclusively on PTSD occurring in the Vietnam veteran (PTSD/veteran). The extent to which treatment experiences with PTSD/veteran can be generalized to other traumatized patients, for example, acute civilian populations, has not been investigated. Clinical observations comparing PTSD precipitated by a motor vehicle accident with PTSD/veteran suggested there were major differences between these two groups on the following variables: source of referral, age, sex, socioeconomic level, nature of stressor, timing of the stressor, character of the intrusive and avoidance symptoms, and treatment noncompliance behavior. These differences were of sufficient magnitude to call into question the feasibility, at this time, of constructing generalizations regarding PTSD utilizing only the PTSD/veteran population.

Studies of medication compliance have focused primarily on patient resistance to treatment, medication side effects, or the complexity of the medication regimen. This study of patient visits in a large psychiatric clinic found that, because of failure to schedule appointments or to notify receptionists of rescheduled appointments, physician noncompliance was as important as patient failure.

Described is a short-term, family-oriented supportive therapy program for older veterans presenting with anxiety, depression or impaired coping mechanisms at the Philadelphia Veterans' Administration Medical Center (PVAMC). Socialization, education and group therapy was provided by an interdisciplinary staff. Observed improvement in social and coping skills was noted in the participants. Morale scores, however, improved only in those with normal initial scores suggesting that this type of short-term intervention is useful only as adjunctive therapy for those with major psychological problems.

A model for psychiatric consultation in the general hospital is described. The authors stress that extrapsychic and societal factors as well as intrapsychic processes influence patients' reactions to illness and hospitalization. An analogy between dreams and their manifest and latent content and the consultation request itself is made.