Early historical literature for post-traumatic symptomatology

Abstract

The early historical evolution of the concept of psychological trauma is relevant to the establishment of PTSD as a syndrome. The authors conducted selective computerized and manual reviews of the literature concerning the history of trauma-related disorders. Exposure to overwhelming terror can lead to troubling memories, which has been a central theme in the literature since the time of Gilgamesh. Reexperiencing was well known and conversion reactions were described, but until the 18th century chroniclers and philosophers essentially reported anecdotes. Nostalgia and traumatic neurosis were first identified during the American Civil War and after the first railway crashes in the 19th century. The isolated anecdote thus evolved into a clinical entity whose medical and psychiatric complexity underwent large-scale development during and immediately after World War I. An historical approach of traumatic disorders identification provides an integrated view of multiple psychological symptoms, some included and others not included in current post-traumatic syndromes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.