Am J Psychiatry 1987; 144:51-55
Copyright © 1987 by American Psychiatric Association
Reactivation of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder
Z Solomon, R Garb, A Bleich and D Grupper
The authors conducted an exploratory study of the nature and course of
reactivation of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Experienced
psychiatrists, they each independently assessed 35 men with recurrent
combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Two major types of
reactivated posttraumatic stress disorder, each representing a different
degree of pathology, were delineated: uncomplicated reactivation and
heightened vulnerability. The second category was further subdivided into
specific sensitivity, moderate generalized sensitivity, and severe
generalized sensitivity. The authors conclude that reactivation of
war-related trauma is a complex phenomenon that may take different forms.
