Disclosure of traumatic experiences, dissociation, and anxiety in group therapy for posttraumatic stress

This study examined the relationships among the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, dissociation with self-disclosure among 72 male military veterans with PTSD who were attending an eight-week group therapy treatment program. At intake to the program, participants were administered a baseline demographics questionnaire, the Clinicians Administered PTSD Scale, a dissociation measure, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants completed the dissociation measure and the HADS again at discharge from the program and at a follow-up three months later. We found that the frequency and severity of dissociation reported by participants decreased over time. It was also found that high self-disclosers had higher levels of dissociation when compared to low self-disclosers at baseline and program end, but showed a greater decline in levels of dissociation at three-month follow-up. It was also found that, regardless of the level of disclosure, anxiety levels at follow-up were significantly lower than baseline levels of anxiety.