Presence of PTSD is Associated with Clinical and Functional Impact in Veterans with Depression Treated in Community-Based Clinics

Fenan S. Rassu, Shubhada Sansgiry, Natalie E. Hundt, Mark E. Kunik, Jeffrey A. Cully

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Providers in non-traditional mental health settings (e.g., primary care, community medical clinics) face challenges involving patients who often present with multiple mental health conditions, but require rapid assessment and treatment. To help address this challenge, this study characterized differences in health symptom severity and mental health treatment perceptions between depressed Veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) served in community medical clinics. Relative to depressed Veterans without PTSD (N = 62), depressed Veterans with PTSD (N = 122) endorsed greater depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, pain, and insomnia symptoms, as well as lower functioning. Veterans with depression and PTSD also reported greater mental health needs, prior utilization of mental health services, and higher perceived importance of mental health treatment. Results highlight the complexity of comorbid mental health conditions frequently seen in community medical care clinics and suggest that patients with comorbid mental health difficulties may present with a complex array of mental health symptoms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)220-229
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
Volume29
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Community medical care
  • Depression
  • Mental health treatment perceptions
  • PTSD
  • Veterans

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology

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