Ladyk-Bryzghalova A. Posttraumatic mental disorders in participants of the antiterrorist operation. Diagnostics, clinical features, treatment

Two-stage study of post-traumatic mental disorders were held among the participants of the antiterrorist operation: in the neurological department and department of psychological rehabilitation. 30 patients participated in the first phase and 124 - in the second phase of the study. As a result of the research several clinical and psychopathological characteristics of the posttraumatic mental disorders were studied and described including high rates of comorbidity with postcommotive syndrome and somatic diseases, pain syndrome, high prevalence of heteroaggressive and suicidal behavior, chronic or delayed course of disease, as well as adjustment difficulties out of the military operations zone. It was also found out, that patients with posttraumatic stress disorder typically developed exacerbation of their disease during the first month after the war zone exit which was mostly related to inadequate family support and social problems. It was also found that antiterrorist operation participants suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder showed heteroaggresive behavior in most cases while suicidal behavior was more characteristic of patients with adjustment disorders. Substance abuse showed to increase risk of suicidal behavior as well as rates of completed suicides among antiterrorist operation participants.The principles and algorithm of medical and social care for the antiterrorist operation participants with post-traumatic mental disorders were developed as a result of the study.