Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric illness that can occur in anyone who has experienced a life-threatening or violent event. The trauma can be due to war, terrorism, torture, natural disasters, violence, or rape. In PTSD the brain areas that are likely to be affected are the hippocampus (memory), amygdala (fear association), the prefrontal cortex (cognitive processing), and the ascending reticular activating system (arousal). The chemical of interest is norepinephrine, which is released during a stressful event and is part of the fight-or-flight response meant to mobilize the body to action.The objective of this title is to outline the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder and provide treatment strategies for clinicians. The chapter material from this book has evolved from a seminar on PTSD held recently under the auspices of the VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston University Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. We propose a book that will focus on the epidemiology, neurobiology, MRI studies, animal models, arousal and sleep issues, clinical trials, and treatment strategies for clinicians. Treatment will cover such topics as guidelines for treating posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD and the use of mental health services, cognitive intervention therapy, and large scale clinical trials in PTSD. This collection will be a vital source of information to clinicians and neuroscientists.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric condition that can occur in anyone who has experienced a life-threatening or violent event. The trauma can be due to war, terrorism, torture, natural disasters, accidents, violence, or rape. In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Basic Science and Clinical Practice, widely regarded experts in the field outline the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and provide a range of state-of-the-art treatment strategies for clinicians. Originally associated exclusively with military service, PTSD is now recognized as a disorder that can result from any traumatic situation and can afflict children as well as adults. In this ground-breaking title, the authors review the current state of knowledge of PTSD, covering not only pharmacological and psychological treatment strategies but also epidemiological findings, the neurobiology and neurophysiology of PTSD, and brain imaging issues. In all, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Basic Science and Clinical Practice provides today's most relevant and up-to-date information regarding the treatment and understanding of those affected by PTSD and is an invaluable resource for all clinicians and neuroscientists concerned with the condition
