At a glance - Prevalence and correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic severe pain in psychiatric outpatients

JRRD at a Glance

Prevalence and correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic severe pain in psychiatric outpatients

Cherie L. Villano, PsyD, et al.

This study contributes to the growing literature on the co-occurrence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic severe pain. We found moderate rates of PTSD (46%) and chronic severe pain (40%) in a sample of psychiatric outpatients. In addition, 24% of the sample had both disorders. We found that persons with both disorders were significantly different from those with neither disorder on all variables and that they had greater physical and psychosocial stressors. In addition, persons with either PTSD or chronic severe pain alone were more likely to have a chronic medical condition, higher ratings of psychiatric distress, and more stressful life events than those with neither disorder. Mental health treatment providers should routinely assess and develop management strategies for these two disorders in psychiatric outpatients.

Volume 44 Number 2 2007
Pages 167 — 178