Posttraumatic stress disorder in torture and war victims Diagnosis and treatment

作者：Knaevelsrud Christine^*; Stammel Nadine; Boettche Maria

来源：Psychotherapeut, 2012, 57(5): 451-462.

DOI：10.1007/s00278-012-0935-7

• Migration
• Communication barriers
• Mental health
• Chronic pain
• Cultural diversity

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a frequent psychological consequence of torture and war. In addition to the traumatic exposure, migration and post-migration stressors increase the risk for mental health consequences. Specific aspects, such as language barriers, intercultural divergent concepts of illness and treatment and unstable residential circumstances require explicit attention in the course of the diagnostic and psychotherapeutic process. Based on the current state of knowledge this article offers a description of clinical symptoms of (complex) PTSD, reviews diagnostic options and points out specific aspects in the principles of cognitive-behavioural treatment of PTSD in victims of torture and war.