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IRAQ WAR CLINICIAN GUIDE

Iraq War Clinician's Guide - Network Of Care

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,<br />

~<br />

-Iraq War Clinician Guide 184 Appendix I<br />

associated with PTSD" (seealso the article by Southwick el a1 in this issue) might<br />

increase biologic susceptibility to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, autoimmune,<br />

and other medical disorders. Adverse health beliaviors (smoking,<br />

drinking, ealiig disorders. sexual behavior) associated with 1TSD might affect<br />

health risk. Comorbid deoression. anxiehr disorders. and alcoholismlsubstance<br />

~ .~ ~~<br />

abusc might increase discox sus~e~tibili;~. and h~i~litened vigilance or perceptions<br />

of autonomic cbnges might increase rates of hc2lth complaints<br />

SALUTARY EFFECTS OF <strong>WAR</strong>-ZONE EXPOSURE<br />

The significant problems associated with MSD among military veterans<br />

have overshadorved the fact that some veterans who have extensive combat<br />

exposure are rvell adiusted and hieh function in^.^^" Moreouer. war-zone exoosuie<br />

can have ~0ter;tiallv saluta; effects. alt6ououeh - these effects .~. mav no< be<br />

~<br />

-~<br />

obervcd imniediatcty afier war at;d may not involve all a>pects of function. For<br />

e~aniple, Elder and Clipp" studied pvrsonality change from ndolmence to mid.<br />

life in male Korean Waiand World War Ilveteraos. Veterans with heavy combat<br />

exposun! had the greatest gains in resilience and decreases in helpless6ess relative<br />

to less-exposed veterans but at a price-the heavy exposure group also had<br />

the most painfulmemories and en~otional distress.<br />

SUMMARY<br />

1. Military personnel exposed to war-zone tmuma are at risk lor developing<br />

PTSD. Those at greatest risk are those exposed to the highes! levels ol<br />

war-zone stress, those wounded in action, those incarcemtcd as prisoners<br />

of war, and those who nlanifest acute war-zone teactionr, such as CSR.<br />

2. In addition to problems directly attributable to PlSD symptoms per se,<br />

individuals witli this disorder frequently suffer from other comorbid psychiatric<br />

disorders, such as depression, other anxiety disorders, and alcohol<br />

or substance abuselde~~endence:le mulling constellation of psychiatric<br />

syrnpto~ns f~~quelllly impairs matital, vontional, and social function.<br />

3. Vie likelihood of developing chronic I'TSD depends on prc~nilitary and<br />

poslnrilitary factors in addition to features of the trauma itsell. Prcmilitary<br />

(actors include negative environmental factors in childhood, econotnic<br />

deprivation, family psycliiatric history, age of enhy into the military,<br />

premilitary edr~calional attainment, and pe~sonality characteristin. I'ostmilitary<br />

factors include social support and the veteran's coping skills.<br />

4. Among Allrentan military personnel, there nre three populations at risk<br />

lor unique problenis that may amplify the psychological impact of warzone<br />

stress. 3iey are women whose tr2ar-zone experiences may be complicated<br />

by sexual assault and harassment; rronrvhite ethnic minority individuals<br />

~vhose premilitary, postmilitary, and nrilitary experience is affected<br />

by the many manifestations of racism; and those with war-related<br />

physical disabilities, rvhose PTSD and niedical problems often exacerbate<br />

each other.<br />

(Ither panems include delayfd. chronic, &d intermittent k15D.'<br />

P<br />

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS<br />

-<br />

--<br />

w---<br />

NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD

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