Post-traumatic stress disorder in different types of stress (clinical features and treatment)

Abstract

Two types of stress situation were compared: involvement in combat actions and working in the post-Chernobyl atomic energy station clean-up. A total of 30 subjects involved in combat actions (combatants) and 33 clean-up workers were observed for 5–6 years and 15–17 years after involvement in stress situations. Mean ages in the two groups were 27.0 ± 2.8 and 43.7 ± 4.5 years respectively. Clinical features were analyzed in terms of the major criteria of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — “immersion” in the experience, “avoidance,” “hyperexcitability,” and “social functioning.” There were both common features in the two groups of subjects as well as individual characteristics dependent on the nature of the stress. Patients were treated with Coaxil at a dose of 37.5 mg/day for four weeks. In both groups of patients, Coaxil had the most favorable effects on immersion and hyperexcitability, which improved social adaptation. The “avoidance” symptom was more resistant. These studies lead to the conclusion that Coaxil is an effective agent for the treatment of different types of PTSD.