Posttraumatic stress disorder in the police officer: paradigm of occupational stress.

The police officer is exposed to stress outside the range of usual human experience, which often leads to his demoralization and brutalization, and predisposes him to a posttraumatic stress disorder similar to that found in the Vietnam veteran. With posttraumatic stress disorder comes functional deterioration that can lead to significant psychologic and health problems, not only for the police officer, but also for his family. Posttraumatic stress disorder in the police officer has counterparts in other stressful occupations. Current treatment methods are outlined.