Recognition and treatment of psychological disorders during military service in the UK armed forces: a study of war pensioners

Abstract

Purpose

Little is known about the detection and treatment of psychological disorders arising during military service. We investigated whether personnel who developed disorders while serving in the UK armed forces came to the attention of medical services for these problems, received corresponding diagnoses, and were treated.

Methods

For this retrospective record-based study 132 veterans in receipt of a war pension for psychological or physical problems received a lifetime diagnostic interview. Those with onsets of PTSD, depression, or alcohol abuse while in service were compared with those who never developed any condition or only developed it after discharge. Their medical records were inspected for contemporaneous contacts, diagnoses, and treatment.

Results

PTSD and depression, but not alcohol abuse, were independently associated with mental health contacts while in service. The median time from PTSD onset to first contact was 1 month. Under half of personnel meeting criteria for these disorders received a corresponding diagnosis, and alcohol abuse was more likely to be recognised in the context of comorbid PTSD. PTSD was as well recognised in earlier as in later years covered by the study. Most personnel with disorders received treatment, and those treated were more likely to be medically downgraded or discharged.

Conclusions

War pensioners are more likely than not to have had their psychological problems acknowledged and treated while in service. The fact that these problems are still largely present 10 years later raises questions over the continuity of care associated with the transition to civilian life.