The impact of stressful life events on health has been of considerable interest from a cross-cultural perspective. Examined herein is the etiology and onset of post- traumatic stress disorder with careful review of the diagnostic criteria, current measures used and clinical dimensions of PTSD. Also examined from a cross- cultural perspective is how psychological trauma may be processed by victims of trauma and subsequent approaches both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
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