Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Paper Summary:

This paper explains our conception of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It discusses the reasons that PTSD, as a formal diagnosis, has been called into question, with some experienced practitioners condemning the tendency to stereotype survivor patients. Finally, the paper describes the use of PTSD in the medico-legal functions related to compensation or support for survivor patients.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The Usefulness of PTSD
Concluding Remarks

From the Paper:

"Critics argue that better models are needed in order to distinguish several varieties of PTSD presentations from one another towards better treatment. Above all, practitioners of all kinds need to think through their attitudes towards severely victimized persons to show symptoms, whether they regard them properly as survivors of untold experience or as persons who are somehow damaged. The last is reprehensible in the eyes of many who work with severely traumatized torture survivors and others who come to very much respect their patients for their determination, in many cases, to be decent people, to live as naturally as possible, or their ability to forgive those that have inflicted much pain and sometimes permanent debility. As critics emphasize, whatever one chooses to call PTSD, one is left with the challenge of treating symptoms that can vary greatly, appear suddenly after a delay, or directly after an alarming event. Derek Summerfield of the Centre for Victims of Torture in the United Kingdom has criticized the formulation of a diagnosis that tends to pathologize patients who are all too apt to be regarded as victims when in fact they are survivors of note who require support towards integrating their adverse experiences. (2001)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Burstow, B. (2003). Towards a Radical Understanding of Trauma and Trauma Work. Violence against Women, 9, 1293-1317.
• Cohen, J.A., E. Deblinger Et Al. (2004). A Meta-site Randomized Controlled Trial for Children with Sexual-Abuse Related PTSD Syndromes. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43, 393-402.
• Havilland, M.G., J. Sonne Et Al. (2002). Beyond PTSD - activity levels in pre-pubescent children. Journal of the American Academy for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 1054-1059.
• Lin, K-M. (2001). Biological Differences in Depression and Anxiety across Races and Ethnic Groups. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 62, 13-19.
• Summerfield, D. (2001). The Invention of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Social Usefulness of a Psychiatric Category. British Medical Journal, 322, 95-98.

More papers on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:

• Analytical Essay # 143469 : "Suicide and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Military"
• Essay # 88145 : "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder"
• Essay # 32137 : "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder"
• Descriptive Essay # 113588 : "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: