Comorbidity and Service Utilization Among Psychiatrically Hospitalized Adolescents with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

ABSTRACT Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in youth have been associated with both internalizing and externalizing disorders. This study examined the prevalence of PTSD and comorbid disorders in a sample of 377 psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents. Adolescents diagnosed with PTSD had higher rates of comorbid major depressive disorder and conduct disorder as compared to adolescents without PTSD. In addition, adolescents with PTSD reported more suicidal ideations and utilized more hospital services than their non-PTSD counterparts. Findings indicate that psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents with PTSD are in need of more intensive and extended treatment services than their peers without PTSD.