Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Patients at an Anxiety Clinic in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Specialized evidence-based clinics are available for psychological trauma treatment.  Data from patients in these clinics must be analyzed in order to better understand this population.  In this study, we described the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients from an evidence-based, anxiety disorder treatment/research center, located in the metropolitan area of Puerto Rico: The Center for the study of Fear and Anxiety (known by its Spanish acronym, CETMA). We performed a secondary data analysis of CETMA database, with data from the multidimensional evaluation, performed at the initial screening interview. We identified 35 patients with a preliminary diagnosis of PTSD.  Patients with PTSD were mostly women, between 19-30 years, single, employed, with a completed bachelor’s degree.  Also, they had 2-4 diagnoses, the most common comorbidity was generalized anxiety disorder.  They reported a previous psychiatric history of PTSD, depression, and panic attacks.  On average, patients received 1-15 therapeutic sessions.  Findings highlight the need for educating and disseminating these services to the public, a population with an increased risk for PTSD.