University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in the Files of Australian Servicemen Hospitalized in 1942–1952

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 23:56 authored by Burges Watson, IP, Daniels, BA

Objective: To investigate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology in servicemen hospitalized 1942–1952.

Method: Hospital files of servicemen (n = 590) were studied and PTSD symptoms in groups, based on service experience, were compared.

Results: Based on their hospital files, 19% of servicemen were classified as having partial PTSD. No full cases of PTSD were identified, due primarily to the small number of recorded avoidance symptoms and the limited information in relation to the stressor criterion. Prisoners of war had the highest reported avoidance and lowest intrusive symptoms compared with other combatants.

Conclusions: PTSD symptoms may have been common during and after World War II. At that time avoidance was not considered a symptom of disorder. Intrusive and arousal symptoms may be the core symptoms of PTSD and avoidance symptoms need to be reconsidered.

History

Publication title

Australasian Psychiatry

Volume

16

Pagination

13-17

ISSN

1039-8562

Department/School

Tasmanian School of Medicine

Publisher

Sage Publications Ltd.

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2008 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Mental health

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC