Follow up of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in Australian servicemen hospitalized in 1942-1952

OBJECTIVE: To follow up survivors of Australian services hospitalized in 1942-1952 and compare their reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with symptoms in their hospital files.

METHOD: Twelve survivors were interviewed and combatants completed the revised Impact of Event Scale.

RESULTS: Eight survivors had symptoms satisfying a diagnosis of PTSD at the time of the study. There was underreporting of most relevant symptoms in their hospital files.

CONCLUSIONS: PTSD symptoms were probably common during and after World War II. The findings have implications for the management of PTSD generally and the treatment of ageing WWII veterans in particular.