Epidemiological and clinical studies provide evidence that veterans with chronic PTSD can be at risk of relapse with respect to a number of high-risk behaviors, including attempted suicide, violence, and misuse of alcohol and drugs.
Aim, patients and methods: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in veterans with chronic PTSD treated at Center for Crisis Intervention, Zagreb University Hospital Center, for 4 years. The diagnosis of PTSD and comorbid psychiatric diagnosis were confirmed according to DSM-IV criteria.
Results and discussion: Study results showed PTSD without comorbid psychiatric diagnosis to persist in 25.3%, and PTSD with comorbid psychiatric diagnosis in 74.7% of study subjects. The most common psychiatric disorders were depression, personality disorders, and alcoholism.
Conclusion: It is important to recognize other comorbid disorders because of the increased risk of suicidal behavior. Accordingly, therapeutic intervention should be adjusted to each individual case.