Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Schwartz, A. C. Articles by Ressler, K. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Schwartz, A. C. Articles by Ressler, K. J. Opioids Miscellaneous Addictive Disorders Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Syndromes Secondary to General Medical Disorders

Pain Medication Use Among Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Received November 7, 2004; revised May 29, 2005; accepted June 23, 2005. From the Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory Univ. School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; the Dept. of Comparative Literature, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and the Central Fulton Community Mental Health Center, Grady Health Systems, 60 Coca-Cola Place, Atlanta, GA. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Schwartz, Psychiatry, Grady Memorial Hospital, 80 Jesse Jill Jr. Dr., P.O. Box 26238, Atlanta, GA 30303. e-mail: aschwa2{at}emory.edu

The relationship of analgesic medication use with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis was investigated among a sample of 173 African Americans presenting for routine outpatient visits at an urban mental health center. Seventy-eight (43.5%) of the sample met DSM-IV PTSD criteria. Those with PTSD had significantly higher use of analgesic medication (both opiate and non-opiate), as compared with non-PTSD patients. PTSD symptoms, as measured by the Posttraumatic Symptom Scale, were significantly higher in subjects who were prescribed analgesics. The authors conclude that there may be a relationship between PTSD and use of pain medications warranting further examination of the endogenous opiate system in the pathophysiology of PTSD.

Key Words: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder • Pain Medication

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. B. Binder, R. G. Bradley, W. Liu, M. P. Epstein, T. C. Deveau, K. B. Mercer, Y. Tang, C. F. Gillespie, C. M. Heim, C. B. Nemeroff, et al. Association of FKBP5 Polymorphisms and Childhood Abuse With Risk of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Adults JAMA, March 19, 2008; 299(11): 1291 - 1305. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. S. Ahmed Post-traumatic stress disorder, resilience and vulnerability Adv. Psychiatr. Treat., September 1, 2007; 13(5): 369 - 375. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2006 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us