title: History of trauma and posttraumatic disorders in literature.
abstract: In 1980 a third edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) brought diagnostic criteria for a new diagnosis - posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This disorder is a result of highly intensive stressor and in many cases leads to sever psychiatric distress. Despite relatively recent introduction of PTSD as a new diagnosis, this disorder was excessively described in scientific papers as well as in fiction novels. Analysis of those descriptions across ages allows for the conclusion that character and type of stressors has changed, however, people's reactions to highly intensive stressors are basically similar. First descriptions are found in notes of Egyptian physicians and then in papers of Homer, Herodotus and Plutarch. In consecutive parts of this paper, the authors present history of posttraumatic stress disorder describing contribution of Polish authors - Kepiński and Szymusik. Presented historical perspective of posttraumatic stress disorder allows for better understanding of reasons for introducing PTSD into classifications as well as controversies related to it.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Chirurgii Urazowej i Medycyny Ratunkowej UM w Lublinie.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kucmin
authors.affiliation: Zakład Psychologii Emocji i Poznania UMCS w Lublinie.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kucmin
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Chirurgii Urazowej i Medycyny Ratunkowej UM w Lublinie.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nogalski
authors.affiliation: Wojewódzki Szpital dla Nerwowo i Psychicznie Chorych w Suchowoli - Oddział I.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sojczuk
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Chirurgii Urazowej i Medycyny Ratunkowej UM w Lublinie.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jojczuk
mesh_terms: D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health / Q000266:history*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000266:history*
keywords: PTSD; history of psychiatry; posttraumatic stress disorder