Posttraumatic stress disorder : acute and long-term responses to trauma and disaster /

This work examines the effects of trauma and disaster, and emphasizes Acute Stress Disorder--the newly introduced diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM-IV), of the American Psychiatric Association (1994). This additional diagnosis, which focuses on those symptoms that last only several days to weeks after trauma, stresses the importance of distinguishing between short- and long-term responses to traumatic events. Researchers have only recently begun to examine trauma from the perspective of acute versus chronic disorders and the various treatment approaches that can be deployed during the different phases of recovery. Topics in this work include comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depression and substance abuse, mental health problems relating to the war in Kuwait, PTSD in prisoners of war and homeless veterans, and neurobiological implications of PTSD. Perhaps the most notable feature is the smooth and unfettered writing style of Fullerton and Ursano, who have clearly collaborated before and have found a unified voice. Both editors are renowned experts in the field of trauma and have written hundreds of publications on the effects of war, trauma, and disaster. A fine scholarly work, highly recommended for undergraduates through professionals. L. S. Beall; Auburn University