Occupation-induced posttraumatic stress disorders

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Abstract
A variant of posttraumatic stress disorder that presents as a somatoform disorder is described. Applying clearly specified diagnostic criteria, 7 of 21 patients who were severely disabled by medically unexplained symptoms following occupational exposure to toxic substances had atypical posttraumatic stress disorder, while 3 patients had typical posttraumatic stress disorder and the remainder suffered from somatoform disorders. Analysis of these cases revealed specific exposure factors and personality characteristics that favor the development of atypical posttraumatic stress disorder. Theoretical, clinical and therapeutic advantages of this diagnosis are discussed.

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