title: The biologic basis of posttraumatic stress.
abstract: The psychological effects of trauma are accompanied by biologic changes in the stress response that persist when people develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This article explores the nature of this altered stress response; provides a review of the symptomatology of PTSD; describes how developmental level affects the biology of the trauma response, the stress response, and the psychobiology of PTSD; and discusses the implications for psychopharmacologic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Erich Lindemann Trauma Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: van der Kolk
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Fisler
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D004723:Endorphins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000209:etiology; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011600:Psychopharmacology; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D012701:Serotonin