A clinical profile of women with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance dependence.

Abstract

To assess the clinical characteristics of women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance dependence, 28 women with both disorders were compared with 29 women with PTSD alone on a wide battery of lifetime and current clinical measures. The dual-diagnosis women consistently had a more severe clinical profile, including worse life conditions (e.g., physical appearance, opportunities in life), both as children and as adults; greater criminal behavior; a higher number of lifetime suicide attempts; a greater number having a sibling with a drug problem; and fewer outpatient psychiatric treatments. One discrepant finding, however, was their lower rate of major depression. Interestingly, the 2 groups did not differ in number or type of lifetime traumas, PTSD onset or severity, family history of substance use; coping style, functioning level, psychiatric symptoms, or sociodemographic characteristics. Treatment implications and methodological limitations are discussed.