The assessment of anxiety levels in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure state and trait anxiety levels of veterans who developed posttraumatic stress disorder following combat or landmine injuries, or vehicle accidents.
Methods: The anxiety levels of 98 veterans (mean age 20 years; range 18 to 25 years) were measured with the use of the State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI I-II). Diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder was made on the basis of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM III-R.
Results: The number of patients with high levels of anxiety was not in significant relationship with education level and trauma type (p