Analysis of long-term stress reactions in emergency room patients: An initial study.

The psychological stress reactions of 44 family medicine patients who were treated in the emergency room were examined approximately a year after the event. Patients were assessed on several psychological measures, including one for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and on their perception of how stressful the event was initially and now. Results show continuing stress reactions related to the emergency room event. Three patients endorsed symptoms indicating full PTSD and 13 appeared to have at least partial PTSD. Age appeared to be a factor in the presence of stress symptoms and in degree of perceived communication with the physician.

NEO-PI profiles in PTSD as a function of trauma level.

One hundred Vietnam veterans with combat-related PTSD were administered the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI) and the Combat Exposure Scale and were sorted into three groups based on trauma exposure level. Results indicate no significant differences among the personality profiles of the three trauma-exposed groups. A normative NEO-PI profile for persons diagnosed with combat-related PTSD is presented, characterized by an extremely high Neuroticism score (T > 75) and an extremely low Agreeableness score (T < 25).