Exploration of the Multidimensional Emotional Experiences of Individuals with PTSD

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder has historically been conceptualized as a disorder of fear, arising from traumatic events that cause severe disruptions within the fear response system. More recent conceptualizations of the disorder have begun to consider the role of other emotional experiences in the etiology and treatment of the disorder. Although fear is still thought to play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of PTSD, other emotions including guilt, shame, anger, and disgust are gaining increased consideration in the conceptualization of the disorder. Measuring these emotions and considering them in the conceptualization and treatment of the disorder would be beneficial. This chapter focuses on exploring these alternative emotions and their role within PTSD. We argue both for the importance of fear within PTSD, as well as the importance of these alternative emotions in understanding the disorder.