A paradigm shift in the conceptualization of psychological trauma in the 20th century

• Published in: Journal of anxiety disorders Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 164 - 175
• Main Authors: Jones, Edgar, Wessely, Simon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2007
• Subjects: Conflict (Psychology); Humans; Life Change Events; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Psychiatry; Psychological trauma; Psychology - trends; Railway spine; Secondary gain; Shell shock; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - classification; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology; Traumatic neurosis; Vietnam War; War neurosis; Warfare; Psychological trauma; Traumatic neurosis; Railway spine; Posttraumatic stress disorder; War neurosis; Secondary gain; Shell shock; Vietnam War

The inclusion of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in DSM-III in 1980 represented a paradigm shift in the conceptualisation of post-trauma illness. Hitherto, a normal psychological reaction to a terrifying event was considered short-term and reversible. Long-term effects, characterized as “trauma...