Citation

Thomann KD, Rauschmann M. Medizinhist. J. 2003; 38(2): 103-138.

Vernacular Title

Die "posttraumatische Belastungsstorung"--historische Aspekte einer "modernen"

Affiliation

Medizinhistorisches Institut Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Am Pulvertum 13 55131 Mainz.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Franz Steiner Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14686120

Abstract

Although posttraumatic stress disorder has only recently been admitted into the international classification systems, psychological reactions to traumatic incidents have been frequently described for well over a hundred years. This article provides an overview of mental reactions to a trauma in different historical situations. It discusses the "railway spine injuries" of the 19th century, victims of accidents in which third party liability could be established, and the psychological consequences of the catastrophes that characterised the 20th century: World War I, the rule of National Socialism, World War II, the expulsion and persecution of political opponents in the former GDR. The analysis suggests that the different psychological reactions do not describe an identical disorder. It seems that reactions to injuries are mainly influenced by the historical and social background.

Language: de