From shell shock and war neurosis to posttraumatic stress disorder: a history of psychotraumatology

The term posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has become a household name since its first appearance in 1980 in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-lll) purblished by the American Psychiatric Association, In the collective mind, this diagnosis is associated with the legacy of the Vietnam War disaster. Earlier conflicts had given birth to terms, such as “soldier's heart, ” “shell shock,” and “war neurosis.” The latter diagnosis was equivalent to the névrose de guerre and Kriegsneurose of French and German scientific literature.

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Clinical and patient satisfaction outcomes of a new treatment for somatized mental disorder taught to general practitioners.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Patients with mental disorder presenting with medically unexplained symptoms (somatized mental disorder) are common in primary care, difficult to treat, and function poorly in their daily lives.

AIM:

To examine the effects on patient outcome and satisfaction of a training package for somatized mental disorder delivered to general practitioners (GPs).

METHOD:

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Traumatic stress and depression in a group of plane crash survivors.

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Posttraumatic stress disorder and interpersonal functioning in Vietnam War veterans: a mediational model.

Abstract

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Combat, dissociation, and posttraumatic stress disorder in Australian Vietnam veterans.

Abstract

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Cues, frequency, and the disturbing nature of intrusive thoughts: patterns seen in rescue workers after the crash of Flight 427.

Abstract

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Post-disaster service provision following proactive identification of children with emotional distress and depression.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

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Initial results, reliability, and validity of a mental health survey of Mount Pinatubo disaster victims.

Abstract

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Posttraumatic stress responses in bereaved children after the Oklahoma City bombing.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the responses of middle and high school students exposed to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing across a spectrum of loss.

METHOD:

A questionnaire measuring exposure, personal consequences, initial response, and current posttraumatic stress and other symptoms was administered to 3,218 students 7 weeks after the explosion.

RESULTS:

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Childhood risk factors for adults with medically unexplained symptoms: results from a national birth cohort study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the prior experience of physical illness in childhood is associated with later experience of medically unexplained symptoms.

METHOD:

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