Post-traumatic stress disorder without the trauma.

Full Abstract

Examples are reported of PTSD cases showing full symptomatology (intrusive imagery, avoidance behaviour, disordered arousal) in the absence of a single, acute, dramatic trauma of the kind required by the current DSM-III-R definition. Such trauma is thus not a necessary condition for PTSD, and other evidence shows it to be not a sufficient condition. It is suggested that the DSM-III-R Axis IV distinction between acute and enduring psychosocial stressors be incorporated into the definition to distinguish two pathways to stress disorder, post-traumatic (PTSD) and prolonged duress (PDSD). Differential treatment implications of the two routes are noted.

Author information

Author/s: Scott, M J (MJ); Stradling, S G (SG);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Manchester, UK.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Journal Article

Journal: The British journal of clinical psychology / the British Psychological Society (Br J Clin Psychol), published in ENGLAND. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1994-Feb; vol 33 ( Pt 1) (issue ) : pp 71-4

Dates: Created 1994/06/09; Completed 1994/06/09; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 8173545, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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