Psychotraumatology

The nosological roots of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be traced back to th~American Psychiatric Association's DSM-I entry of gross stress reaction, as published in 1952. Yet the origins of the current enthusi asm with regard to post-traumatic stress can be traced back to 1980, which marked the emergence of the term post-traumatic stress disorder in the DSM III. This reflected the American Psychiatric Association's acknowledgment of post-traumatic stress as a discrete, phenomenologically unique, and reli able psychopathological entity at a time in American history when such recognition had important social, political, and psychiatric implications. Clearly, prior to DSM-I the lack of a generally accepted terminology did little to augment the disabling effects that psychological traumatization could engender. Nor did the subsequent provision of an official diagnostic label alone render substantial ameliorative qualities. Nevertheless, the post Vietnam DSM-III recognition of PTSD did herald a dramatic increase in research and clinical discovery. The American Red Cross acknowledged the need to establish disaster mental health services, the American Psychological Association urged its members to form disaster mental health networks, and the Veterans Administration established a national study center for PTSD.

Contenu
I. The Nature of Post-Traumatic Stress.- 1. Psychotraumatology.- 2. The Historical Evolution of PTSD Diagnostic Criteria: From Freud to DSM-IV.- 3. An Integrative Two-Factor Model of Post-Traumatic Stress.- 4. Neurobiology of PTSD.- 5. Victims of Violence.- 6. Complex PTSD: A Syndrome in Survivors of Prolonged and Repeated Trauma.- II. Assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress.- 7. Psychological Assessments of PTSD.- 8. Psychophysiological Assessment of PTSD.- 9. Neuropsychology of PTSD: Problems, Prospects, and Promises.- III. Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress.- 10. The Neurocognitive Therapy of Post-Traumatic Stress: A Metatherapeutic Approach.- 11. Biological Approaches to the Diagnosis and Treatment of PTSD.- 12. Pierre Janet's Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress.- 13. Twelve Themes and Spiritual Steps: A Recovery Program for Survivors of Traumatic Experiences.- 14. Brief Therapy of the Stress Response Syndrome.- 15. Post-Traumatic Therapy.- IV. The Prevention of Post-Traumatic Stress.- 16. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) and the Prevention of Work-Related Traumatic Stress among High Risk Occupational Groups.- 17. Debriefing the Debriefers.- V. Special Issues in Post-Traumatic Stress.- 18. Childhood Traumas: An Outline and Overview.- 19. The Process of Coping with Sexual Trauma.- 20. Systemic PTSD: Family Treatment Experiences and Implications.- 21. Theoretical and Empirical Issues in the Treatment of PTSD in Vietnam Veterans.- 22. Cross-Cultural Care for PTSD.- About the Editors.