Citation

Davis H. Br. J. Soc. Work 1999; 29(5): 755-777.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/bjsw/29.5.755

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The psychiatric category of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is described and critiqued. Problems of definition and application may lead to the non-inclusion or minimization of some forms of post-traumatic distress. Questions of what constitute 'healthy' and 'unhealthy' reactions to trauma are raised and the depoliticization of trauma explored. The absence from the literature of sufficient acknowledgement of traumagenic actions on the part of official agencies is noted. The potential for critically informed social work interventions in prevention, mitigation and longer-term response is outlined.