Summary

Abstract

Upon reflection, we certainly hope the amount of information has not so overloaded the reader as to become a traumatic experience. This volume has been meant to serve as a clinical guide for mental health professionals interested in working with victims of trauma. If we have been successful the following goals should have been reached:

• 1. There should be little doubt in the reader’s mind that PTSD exists as a psychological/psychiatric disorder.²³

• 2. Readers should have a clear understanding of the primary and secondary symptoms of PTSD.

• 3. Readers should be aware of the view that human reaction to trauma tends to run a course with several possible end points.

• 4. Readers should understand the major theoretical formulations for understanding PTSD. They should also have an appreciation for the interaction of the different psychological variables that impact on the PTSD patient.

• 5. Clinicians will be better able to evaluate PTSD in both the clinical and forensic contexts.

• 6. Mental health providers will have a clearer understanding of the parameters involved in the therapy of PTSD. Clinicians will be more able to choose treatment modalities or integrate different modalities

• 7. Researchers should have a fuller appreciation of the important challenging questions to be addressed.