title: Adaptation after torture: some thoughts on the long-term effects of surviving a repressive regime.
abstract: The long-term problems of refugee survivors of organized violence are considered. A case example is described in order to illustrate the complexity of factors that contribute to the psychological well-being and social adaptation of such a survivor. The limitations of the classic diagnostic approaches are discussed. It is suggested that measures of social function can be more helpful than a description of symptoms, and should be included in the concept of PTSD, in order to increase the usefulness of this diagnosis in relation to severe and chronic trauma.
authors.affiliation: Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, London.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gorst-Unsworth
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology; D014104:Torture / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom