Exacerbation of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms with medical illness.

Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may increase the risk for associated psychiatric and medical illnesses. In turn, the onset of medical illness may result in an exacerbation of PTSD symptoms leading to excessive or maladaptive psychological and physiological reactions. Five combat veterans with PTSD and medical disease are presented to illustrate this potential for worsening of PTSD with concurrent medical illness. Health care workers in general hospital settings should be aware of unique psychological vulnerabilities in PTSD patients. Prospective studies are needed to assess the impact of medical comorbidity on the course of PTSD.