Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Clinical Features and Treatment

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress syndrome has been noted in the literature of psychopathology for over 100 years under various labels: compensation neurosis, nervous shock, hysteria, and war neurosis. We all are familiar with descriptions of soldiers who experienced a “nervous breakdown”, called Combat Stress Reaction, during or immediately after participating in the battlefield. These soldiers typically report strong feelings of being overwhelmed, confused, and frightened, as well as crying, sweating, trembling, and shaking. Many continue to experience significant psychological problems that render them chronically dysfunctional. Similar symptoms are observed in individuals who have experienced other types of trauma such as rape, aggravated assault, automobile accident, or natural disasters.