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Review
. 2018 Sep;20(3):161-168.
doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.3/ccarvajal.

Posttraumatic stress disorder as a diagnostic entity - clinical perspectives

César Carvajal  1
Affiliations
Review

Posttraumatic stress disorder as a diagnostic entity - clinical perspectives

César Carvajal. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2018 Sep.

Abstract
in English, Spanish, French

Throughout history the consequences of psychological trauma and characteristic symptoms have involved clinical presentations that have had different names. Since the inclusion of the category of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) with the symptomatic triad of re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoidance behaviors, and hypervigilance, this entity has been a source of controversy. Indeed, some authors have denied its existence, even considering it a diagnostic invention. In this article we review, from the clinician's perspective, historical aspects as well as the development of the nosological classifications and the contributions from the neurosciences that allow the consideration of the full validity of this diagnosis as a form of psychobiological reaction to psychological trauma.

A través de la historia las consecuencias del trauma psíquico y sus síntomas característicos han configurado presentaciones clínicas que han tenido diferentes denominaciones. Desde la inclusión de la categoría de Trastorno por Estrés Postraumático (TEPT) en la tercera edición del Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales (DSM-III) con la tríada sintomática de re-experimentar el acontecimiento traumático, las conductas de evitación y los fenómenos de hiperalerta, esta entidad ha sido fuente de controversia. De hecho, algunos autores han negado su existencia, llegando a considerarla una invención diagnóstica. En este artículo se revisan, desde una perspectiva clínica, tanto aspectos históricos como el desarrollo de las clasificaciones nosológicas y los aportes de las neurociencias, los que permiten considerar la plena vigencia de este diagnóstico como una forma de reacción psicobiológica al trauma psíquico.

Au cours de l'histoire, les conséquences des traumatismes psychologiques et certains symptômes caractéristiques ont dessiné des présentations cliniques ayant porté différents noms. L'entité du trouble de stress post-traumatique (TSPT) et sa triade symptomatique de revécu de l'événement traumatique, de comportements d'évitement et d'hypervigilance, ont été l'objet de controverses depuis leur inclusion dans la 3e édition du DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Certains auteurs ont effectivement nié son existence, allant même jusqu'à le voir comme une invention diagnostique. Dans cet article nous analysons, d'un point de vue clinique, les aspects historiques ainsi que le développement des classifications nosologiques et les contributions des neurosciences, qui permettent de valider totalement ce diagnostic comme une forme de réaction psycho-biologique à un traumatisme psychologique.

Keywords: diagnosis; post-traumatic stress disorder; psychological trauma; psychopathology; trauma.

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