Post-traumatic stress disorder

Despite the dramatic increase of knowledge about the effects of traumatic stress, many uncertainties remain about the relation of post-traumatic psychopathology to other psychiatric disorders and the relative contribution of vulnerability factors in the aetiology. The threshold of intensity and quality of the stressor required to trigger the onset of the characteristic symptoms is one of the major issues needing clarification. The development of memories of traumatic events and the integration of these with existing psychological schemata is relevant to both the understanding of the aetiology and treatment of the effects of traumatic stress. The current evidence does not indicate the superiority of any psychotherapeutic approach and uncertainties remain about the contribution of medications, beyond the treatment of co-existing disorder.