Journal of Depression and Anxiety
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-1044
+44 1223 790975
ISSN: 2167-1044
+44 1223 790975
Hans-Ulrich Wittchen
Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy and CELOS,
Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187 Dresden
Germany
Research Article
Rates of Mental Disorders Among German Soldiers Deployed to Afghanistan: Increased Risk of PTSD or of Mental Disorders In General?
Author(s): Hans-Ulrich Wittchen, Sabine Schönfeld, Clemens Kirschbaum, Sebastian Trautmann, Christin Thurau, Jens Siegert, Michael Höfler, Robin Hauffa and Peter ZimmermannHans-Ulrich Wittchen, Sabine Schönfeld, Clemens Kirschbaum, Sebastian Trautmann, Christin Thurau, Jens Siegert, Michael Höfler, Robin Hauffa and Peter Zimmermann
Background: Controversy exists regarding the prevalence of military mission-related PTSD and other mental disorders among deployed soldiers.
Methods: Based on a random stratified sample of n=1599 German soldiers (response rate (RR) 93%, n=1483), we assessed subjects 12 months after deployment to Afghanistan and compared findings to controls of n=932 never deployed soldiers (RR: 95%, n=889). Interviews were conducted by trained non-military clinical interviewers using the DSM-IV-TR-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-military). Outcome measures were 12-month prevalence and incidence of PTSD, anxiety, depressive, substance use disorders and other DSM-IV-TR mental disorders.
Results: Deployed soldiers reported high rates of combat-related and other traumatic events. Compared to c.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2167-1044.1000133