Communication as a powerful tool in the treatment of war veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain

摘要

The latest revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, 2013) included a number of evidence-based changes to the diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ( ). PTSD is now classified in a new category, Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorders. The rate of lifetime PTSD is two to four times higher among war veterans than in the general population ( ). Chronic PTSD is associated with various somatic illnesses, from autoimmune to cardiovascular, and especially with chronic pain ( ). During the Croatian Homeland War (1991-1995) and its aftermath, a considerable number of people in Croatia were exposed to long-term and intense traumatic experiences. In this essay we would like to emphasize the importance of adequate communication in the treatment of war veterans with chronic PTSD and chronic pain, especially since communication has an important role in treatment outcomes.