Structural relations between DSM-5 PTSD and major depression symptoms in military soldiers

Background: Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are frequently comorbid. One explanation for this comorbidity is that PTSD has a constellation of "dysphoria" symptoms resembling depression. Method: Using confirmatory factor analysis we tested the role of DSM-5 PTSD's dysphoria factor in relation to MDD symptom dimensions of somatic and non somatic psychopathology. 672 Ohio National Guard soldiers completed DSM-5 measures of PTSD and MDD symptoms in an epidemiological study. Results: Results indicated that in contrast to other PTSD factors, PTSD's dysphoria factor was more related to MDD's somatic and non somatic factors. Limitations: Limitations include generalizability to the epidemiological population of trauma exposed military veterans rather than civilians, and reliance on sell report measures. Conclusions: Implications concerning clinical psychopathology and comorbidity of PTSD arc discussed, including vvhether PTSD should be refined by removing its non-specific symptoms. (C) 2015 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.