Evidence for excess familial clustering of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the US Veterans Genealogy resource

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Cannon-Albright ◽  
Jennifer Romesser ◽  
Craig C. Teerlink ◽  
Alun Thomas ◽  
L.J. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
The Us ◽  
Familial Clustering ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Us Veterans

A Study of Selected Ethnic Affiliations in the Development of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Psychopathology After a Terrorist Bombing in Nairobi, Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 360-365
Author(s):  
Carol S. North ◽  
Tatiana Dvorkina ◽  
Samuel Thielman ◽  
Betty Pfefferbaum ◽  
Pushpa Narayanan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Total N ◽  
The Us ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Terrorist Bombing

AbstractObjectivesDespite the frequency of disasters in Africa, almost nothing is known about ethnic affiliations in relation to psychopathology after such incidents. This study examined the mental health outcomes of members of 7 major ethnic groups exposed to the 1998 terrorist bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.MethodsApproximately 8 to 10 months after the disaster, 229 civilian employees, 99 locally engaged staff workers of the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development, and 64 workers of the Kenyan Red Cross Society (total N=392) were assessed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition). Additional data were gathered on demographic characteristics, disaster exposures and injuries, and ethnic affiliations.ResultsDisaster-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was significantly less prevalent among members of the Kikuyu group (28%) and post-disaster major depression was significantly more prevalent among members of the Meru group (64%), compared with all others in the sample. Preexisting psychopathology and disaster injury were independently associated with bombing-related psychopathology.ConclusionsFurther study of disaster-related psychopathology in relation to African ethnic affiliations is needed to better understand these associations and to assist in planning resources and interventions for African disaster survivors. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 360–365)

scholarly journals Documented combat exposure of US veterans seeking treatment for combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder

2005 ◽  
Vol 186 (6) ◽  
pp. 467-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Christopher Frueh ◽  
Jon D. Elhai ◽  
Anouk L. Grubaugh ◽  
Jeannine Monnier ◽  
Todd B. Kashdan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Combat Exposure ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Objective Evidence ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Us Veterans

BackgroundThere are concerns regarding the validity of combat exposure reports of veterans seeking treatment for combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within US Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.AimsTo verify combat exposure history for a relevant sample through objective historical data.MethodArchival records were reviewed from the US National Military Personnel Records Center for 100 consecutive veterans reporting Vietnam combat in a Veterans Affairs PTSD clinic. Cross-sectional clinical assessment and 12-month service use data were also examined.ResultsAlthough 93% had documentation of Vietnam war-zone service, only 41% of the total sample had objective evidence of combat exposure documented in their military record. There was virtually no difference between the Vietnam ‘combat’ and ‘no combat’ groups on relevant clinical variables.ConclusionsA significant number of treatment-seeking Veterans Affairs patients may misrepresent their combat involvement in Vietnam. There are implications for the integrity of the PTSD database and the Veterans Affairs healthcare system.

scholarly journals Initiation of pharmacotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan: a dimensional, symptom cluster approach

BJPsych Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 286-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilan Harpaz-Rotem ◽  
Robert Rosenheck ◽  
Somaia Mohamed ◽  
Robert Pietrzak ◽  
Rani Hoff
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Symptom Cluster ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Ptsd Diagnosis ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Us Veterans

BackgroundThe pharmacological treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is extremely challenging, as no specific agent has been developed exclusively to treat this disorder. Thus, there are growing concerns among the public, providers and consumers associated with its use as the efficacy of some agents is still in question.AimsWe applied a dimensional and symptom cluster-based approach to better understand how the heterogeneous phenotypic presentation of PTSD may relate to the initiation of pharmacotherapy for PTSD initial episode.MethodUS veterans who served in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and received an initial PTSD diagnosis at the US Veterans Health Administration between 2008 and 2011 were included in this study. Veterans were followed for 365 days from initial PTSD diagnosis to identify initiation for antidepressants, anxiolytics/sedatives/hypnotics, antipsychotics and prazosin. Multivariable analyses were used to assess the relationship between the severity of unique PTSD symptom clusters and receiving prescriptions from each medication class, as well as the time from diagnosis to first prescription.ResultsIncreased severity of emotional numbing symptoms was independently associated with the prescription of antidepressants, and they were prescribed after a substantially shorter period of time than other medications. Anxiolytics/sedatives/hypnotics prescription was associated with heightened re-experiencing symptoms and sleep difficulties. Antipsychotics were associated with elevated re-experiencing and numbing symptoms and prazosin with reported nightmares.ConclusionsPrescribing practices for military-related PTSD appear to follow US VA/DoD clinical guidelines. Results of this study suggest that a novel dimensional and symptom cluster-based approach to classifying the phenotypic presentation of military-related PTSD symptoms may help inform prescribing patterns for PTSD.

scholarly journals Post-traumatic stress after terrorist attack: psychological reactions following the US embassy bombing in Nairobi

2004 ◽  
Vol 185 (4) ◽  
pp. 328-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank G. Njenga ◽  
P. J. Nicholls ◽  
Caroline Nyamai ◽  
Pius Kigamwa ◽  
Jonathan R. T. Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
College Education ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
The Us ◽  
Post Traumatic

BackgroundMost studies of post-traumatic stress disorder following terrorist attacks are of small samples in industrialised nations and take place months or years after the incident.AimsTo describe reactions following the US embassy bombing in Nairobi and the characteristic features of and risk factors for post-traumatic stress symptoms in a large, non-Western sample soon after the attack.MethodA self-report questionnaire which assessed potential risk factors and identified symptoms matching DSM–IV criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder was answered by 2883 Kenyans, 1–3 months after the bombing.ResultsSymptoms approximating to the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder occurred in 35%. Factors associated with post-traumatic stress included female gender, unmarried status, lack of college education, seeing the blast, injury, not recovering from injury, not confiding in a friend, bereavement and financial difficulty since the blast. Many other factors were not significant.ConclusionsSpecific factors often cited to predict marked short-term post-traumatic stress were confirmed in this large, non-Western sample.

scholarly journals Effect of Chronic Low Back Pain and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on the Risk for Separation from the US Army

2019 ◽  
Vol 184 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 431-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy M Benedict ◽  
Michael D Singleton ◽  
Arthur J Nitz ◽  
Tracie L Shing ◽  
Joseph R Kardouni
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Us Army ◽  
The Us ◽  
Post Traumatic

AbstractIntroductionCo-morbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and low back pain (LBP) are common reasons for increased disability in the Veteran communities. Medical discharge from the military represents a considerable financial cost to society. Little is currently known about the impact of LBP and PTSD as longitudinal risk factors for medical discharge from Active Duty military service.Materials and MethodsA retrospective analysis of US Army Active Duty Soldiers from 2002 to 2012 was performed to determine the risk for medical discharge. Four levels of exposure for were identified as independent variables: no chronic LBP or PTSD, chronic LBP only, PTSD only, and co-morbid PTSD present with chronic LBP. Statistical analysis utilized modified Poisson regression controlling for sex, age, rank, time in service, deployment, mental health, sleep disorders, alcohol use, tobacco use, obesity, and military occupation. This study was approved by a Department of Defense Institutional Review Board.ResultsAfter controlling for potential confounding variables, the RR for chronic LBP and PTSD independently was 3.65 (95% CI: 3.59–3.72) and 3.64 (95% CI: 3.53–3.75), respectively, and 5.17 (95% CI: 5.01–5.33) when both were present.ConclusionsThis is the first study to identify a history of both chronic LBP and PTSD as substantial risk factors for medical discharge from the US Army. PTSD and chronic LBP may mutually reinforce one another and deplete active coping strategies, making Soldiers less likely to be able to continue military service. Future research should target therapies for co-morbid PTSD and chronic LBP as these conditions contribute a substantial increase in risk of medical discharge from the US Army.

scholarly journals MILITARY AUTOBIOGRAPHIES: ENCOURAGE, DISCOURAGE OR IGNORE?

2019 ◽  
pp. 105-118
Author(s):  
ESMERALDA KLEINREESINK
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Military Organizations ◽  
Active Service ◽  
The Us ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Uk

Of every 6,000 soldiers deployed, one publishes an autobiographical book about their experiences shortly after the war. Military memoirs are therefore an inescapable consequence of deployments. How should defence organizations react to these soldier-authors: should they be encouraged, discouraged, or ignored? A substantiated answer to that question is given in this article by providing a profile of all writers of military Afghanistan memoirs from seven countries (the US, the UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands) and the kind of plots they write. A small majority write positive plots. The negative ones specifically deal with disillusionment about the care the defence organization or society at large provided, and experiences with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is interesting that it proves to be possible to predict whether a writer will write a positive or a negative plot based on the type of work they do and whether they still work for the defence organization. Military organizations interested in getting positive books published are advised to particularly encourage writing by individually deployed personnel who work in combat support positions and are on active service.

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