When having one disorder is the exception, not the norm: Psychological comorbidity in veterans

Abstract

The present article is focused on psychological comorbidity conditions in veterans. Psychological injury occurs in a substantial number of returning service members and veterans. Individuals with co-occurring posttraumatic disorders tend to fare worse than those diagnosed with a single disorder. Evidence-based treatments for PTSD, such as prolonged exposure (PE) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT), often lead to reductions in both PTSD and depression symptoms. The findings provide support for the mechanistic link between posttraumatic guilt and severity of posttraumatic psychopathology. In summary, treating mechanisms that may contribute to posttraumatic psychopathology, such as guilt, may help ameliorate symptoms of multiple disorders common among returning veterans. The clinical needs of returning military service members post deployment are multifaceted, with higher rates of PTSD and major depressive disorder (MDD) than civilians, and a myriad of associated symptoms and co-occurring disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).