TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2004//
TI  - The course of posttraumatic stress disorder in a follow-up study of survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing
JO  - Annals of clinical psychiatry
A1  - North, Carol S.
A1  - Pfefferbaum, Betty
A1  - Tivis, Laura
A1  - Kawasaki, Aya
A1  - Reddy, Chandrashekar
A1  - Spitznagel, Edward L.
SP  - 209
EP  - 215
VL  - 16
IS  - 4
N2  - BACKGROUND: The course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in populations directly exposed to terrorist attacks is of major importance in the post-9/11 era. Because no systematic diagnostic studies of the most highly exposed individuals of the 9/11 terrorist attacks have yet been done, the Oklahoma City bombing remains a unique opportunity to examine PTSD over time in high-exposure terrorist victims. METHODS: This study assessed 137 survivors in the direct path of the explosion at approximately 6 and 17 months postdisaster, using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. RESULTS: Combined index and follow-up data yielded a higher (41%) incidence of PTSD than detected at index (32%) or follow-up (31%). All PTSD was chronic (89% unremitted at 17 months) with no delayed-onset cases. The avoidance and numbing symptom group C, unlike groups B and D alone, was pivotal to current PTSD status and was associated with indicators of functioning at index and follow-up. The findings at index were sustainable. CONCLUSIONS: This follow-up study confirmed the immediacy of onset of PTSD and its persistence over time, pointing to the need for early interventions that continue over the long term. Group C avoidance and numbing symptoms may aid in early recognition of PTSD and in predicting long-term functioning.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1040-1237
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -