Flashbacks and post-traumatic stress disorder: the genesis of a 20th-century diagnosis

Point-Counterpoint: Two Views on Traumatic Memories and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Recent books by Brewin (2003) and McNally (2003b) each reviewed the empirical literature on traumatic memories and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although these authors reached similar conclusions on several topics, they differed on a number of important and controversial issues. In this article, Drs. Brewin and McNally are interviewed on these issues, and asked to comment on one another’s conclusions. Issues discussed include the nature of traumatic events and traumatic stress responses, the problem of malingering in PTSD research, the relative merits of contemporary cognitive models of PTSD, the issues of whether body memories and satanic cult abuse are genuine phenomena, and the question of whether memories can be repressed and later recovered. Implications for the assessment and treatment of PTSD are also discussed. The arguments for and against the various opinions provide fertile ground for stimulating further research into these controversial topics.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in bosnian war veterans: Analysis of stress events and risk factors

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the characteristics of stress-related events, and the risk factors for the development of PTSD. The total patient sample consisted of 100 Bosnian war veterans. Watson?s PTSD module was used in establishing PTSD diagnosis. Patients fulfilled the following questionnaires: personal data form, Posttraumatic Symptom Scale PTSS-10 (Holen), Impact of Event Scale (Horowitz), Life Event Scale, and Eysenck Personality Inventory. PTSD was diagnosed in 30% of the examined patients. Larger number of stress-related events, particularly of those regarded as life-threatening, wounding/death of a close person, and material losses were more frequent in persons with PTSD. The risk factors for the development of PTSD in this study were: age (30-40), marital status (married), lower level of education, the front-line combat exposure, neurotic manifestations, family problems in childhood, and neuroticism.