[Simple and complex post-traumatic stress disorders. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches].
The prevalence rates of post-traumatic stress disorders are high in the general population (5-10%). The main diagnostic criteria include the experience of an event of extraordinary threat and the persistence of specific symptoms such as intrusion, avoidance, and physiological hyperarousal. Long-lasting traumata may lead to the development of complex syndromes or irreversible personality alterations. Chronic manifestations, psychiatric comorbidities, and psychosocial deficits are special risks in the course of post-traumatic stress disorders. Severe traumata are associated with complex neurobiological changes. Psychotherapeutic approaches are established as a three-stage model: stabilisation, trauma reorientation, and psychosocial reintegration. The additional use of psychotropic drugs should be oriented to the specific symptomatology.
Roestel
C
C
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 11, 48149 Münster. roestec@mednet.uni-muenster.de
Kersting
A
A
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy