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. 1997 May:170:479-82.
doi: 10.1192/bjp.170.5.479.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. An analysis of comorbidity

A Bleich  1 , M Koslowsky, A Dolev, B Lerer
Affiliations

Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. An analysis of comorbidity

A Bleich et al. Br J Psychiatry. 1997 May.

Abstract

Background: We examined psychiatric morbidity following war-related psychic trauma, with a special focus on the depressive comorbidity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Method: Subjects consisted of 60 Israeli veterans who sought psychiatric treatment 4-6 years after having been exposed to war trauma. PTSD and psychiatric comorbidity were diagnosed using the Structured Interview for PTSD and the Schedule for Affective 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% lifetime, 50% current), followed by anxiety disorders, minor affective disorders, and alcoholism or drug misuse.

Conclusions: Within post-traumatic psychiatric and MDD are the most prevalent disorders. In addition it appears that PTSD, although related to post-traumatic MDD beyond a mere sharing of common symptoms, is at the same time differentiated from it as an independent diagnostic category.

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