Risk Factors for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - 9780880488167

In the 1980's, the psychiatric community first officially recognized posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a diagnosis to describe the disorder that can occur following exposure to extremely traumatic events. Since that time, it have been observed that some patients who have been exposed to trauma do not develop PTSD or only have symptoms immediately following the event, whereas others show signs of chronic PTSD. Recently, it has been hypothesized that the development of chronic PTSD results from a combination of factors, only some of which are related to exposure to trauma.

Risk Factors for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder assembles almost 20 experts to examine the latest research on this topic. This book discusses strategies for assessing risk and compiles findings from several studies for identifying risk factors related to demographic, environmental, genetic, and biological factors.

Specifically, the book examines genetic risk factors, as identified, through twin studies, and neurobiological risk factors and family influences on PTSD development. Psychophysiological expressions of risk factors are examined as well as neurocognitive risk factors for PTSD. It reviews personality characteristics in individuals with a propensity to develop PTSD.

Complete with a summary of the latest findings that advance our knowledge of the effects of trauma, this resource is useful in identifying and treating individuals much earlier following a traumatic experience as well as in helping prevent vulnerable individuals from being exposed to traumatic events.