PTSD a Risk Factor for Long-Term Disease
Wednesday, February 13, 2008; 12:00 AM
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13 (HealthDay News) -- People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are as likely to have long-term health problems as people with other common, chronic disease risk factors, a new study suggests.
The findings, published in the current edition ofThe Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, come from examining the health status of 4,462 male Vietnam-era veterans 30 years after their military service.
Exposure to trauma has not only psychological effects, but can take a serious toll on a person's health status and biological functions as well, Joseph Boscarino, senior investigator with Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa., said in a prepared statement. "PTSD is a risk factor for disease that doctors should put on their radar screens."
The study finds that PTSD was just as good an indicator of a long-term health status as having an elevated white blood cell count, which can indicate a major infection or a serious blood disease such as leukemia.
Early treatment may be critical to avoidance of depression, he added.
More information
The National Institute of Mental Health has more about post-traumatic stress disorder.
SOURCE: Geisinger Health System, news release, Feb. 13, 2008
click post title for the rest
No comments:
Post a Comment
If it is not helpful, do not be hurtful. Spam removed so do not try putting up free ad.