Posttraumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans: a review.

Primary care physicians may encounter patients having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to combat experience before they come to the attention of the mental health system. Specific criteria for making the diagnosis of PTSD are now available. Effective psychiatric treatment, particularly group therapy and pharmacotherapy, is now available. Posttraumatic stress disorder can be an important diagnostic consideration in several problems that may be seen by primary care physicians, including multiple somatic complaints, sleep disturbance, substance abuse, and behavior disorders. It is important that such cases be recognized and referred for psychiatric treatment.