Psychiatric diagnoses aboard an aircraft carrier

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Naval Health

Background:

• Aircraft carriers present unique operational environments impacting crew mental health.
• Understanding psychiatric diagnoses in this population is crucial for effective healthcare.
• Previous research on psychiatric conditions in carrier-based military personnel is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the prevalence and types of psychiatric diagnoses among patients onboard an aircraft carrier.
• To identify demographic factors associated with specific psychiatric diagnoses.
• To highlight the need for specialized psychiatric training for aerospace medicine specialists.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive study of 150 consecutive patients with psychiatric diagnoses over 11 months.
• Exclusion of patients with sole alcohol abuse or dependence diagnoses.
• Analysis of Axis I and Axis II diagnoses, age, and suicide behavior.

Main Results:

• Personality disorders (Axis II) were more prevalent (N=120) than Axis I diagnoses (N=46).
• Adjustment disorder and major depression were the most common Axis I diagnoses.
• Axis II diagnoses were significantly more common in sailors under 23 years old (OR=7.33).
• Suicide behavior was observed in 68% of the patient population.

Conclusions:

• Psychiatric disorders, especially personality disorders, are common in aircraft carrier crews.
• Younger personnel (<23 years) are at higher risk for personality disorders.
• A significant proportion of patients exhibited suicidal behavior, underscoring mental health concerns.
• Enhanced psychiatric training is essential for aerospace medicine specialists supporting carrier crews.