Abstract
A photographic lens and filter model is presented which outlines six steps between a person’s perception of stressful life events and their possible eventual development of an illness. Persons developing acute post-traumatic stress disorder differ markedly in their processing of early steps in the model compared to those who go on to suffer from chronic post-traumatic stress disorder. Persons with the acute disorder, with high likelihood of recovery, generally have had enriching early life experiences, use psychological defenses to a moderate degree, and demonstrate ample coping capabilities. Those going on to the chronic disorder, who frequently don’t recover, often report impoverished early life experiences, employ psychological defenses to an extreme degree, and show a paucity of coping skills. These differences are illustrated by histories from survivors of a terrorist bombing and by observations made by the author of returned prisoners of war and civilian hostages.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cassileth, B.R., Lusk, E.J., Hutter, R., (1984). Concordance of depression and anxiety in patients with cancer.Psychological Report, 54: 588–590.
Croog, S.H., Shapiro, D.S., & Levine, S., (1971). Denial among male heart patients.Psychosomatic Medicine, 33: 385–397.
Fawzy, F.I., Kemeny, M.E., Fawzy, N.W., (1990). A structured psychiatric intervention for cancer patients II: Changes over time in immunological measures.Archives of General Psychiatry, 47:729–735.
Hackett, T.P. (1978). The use of groups in the rehabilitation of the post-coronary patient.Advances in Cardiology, 24:127–135.
Holmes, T.H., & Rahe R.H. (1967). The social readjustment rating scale.Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 11:213–218.
Rahe, R.H. (1969). Life crisis and health change. In P.R.A. May & R. Wittenborn (Eds.),Psychotropic drug response: Advances in prediction. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas, pp 92–125.
Rahe, R.H. (1988). Anxiety and physical illness.Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 49(10, Suppl.): 26–29.
Rahe, R.H. (1990). Life change, stress responsivity, and captivity research.Psychosomatic Medicine, 52:373–396.
Rahe, R.H., & Arthur R.J. (1978). Life change and illness studies: Past history and future directions.Journal of Human Stress, 4:3–13.
Rahe, R.H., Ward H.W., & Hayes V. (1979). Brief group therapy in myocardial infarction rehabilitation: Three- to four-year follow-up of a controlled trial.Psychosomatic Medicine, 41:229–242.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rahe, R.H. Acute versus chronic post-traumatic stress disorder. Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science 28, 46–56 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02691199
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02691199