© 2003 Oxford University Press
Differentiating Among Stress, Acute Stress Disorder, Crisis Episodes, Trauma, and PTSD: Paradigm and Treatment Goals
From the Department of Psychiatry at the Ohio State University (Yeager) and the Interdisciplinary Program in Criminal Justice and Administration of Justice Department at RutgersThe State University of New Jersey (Roberts).
Contact author: Kenneth R. Yeager, PhD, LISW, Director of Quality Assurance, The Ohio State University Medical Center, OSU & Harding Behavioral Healthcare and Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, The Ohio State University, 120 Neurosciences Facility, 1670 Upham Drive, Columbus, OH 43210. E-mail: yeager-1{at}medctr.osu.edu.
Why focus on the distinguishing components among stressors, acute stress disorders, acute crisis episodes, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Can clear operational definitions and specific case illustrations clarify the parameters and differences between the four clinical concepts mentioned above? What types of treatment goals are effective in treating the persons encountering the four events and disorders? What are the components of a diagnostic Stress-Crisis-Trauma-PTSD Paradigm? This article answers these four vital questions. In addition, this article thoroughly examines the clinical issues and controversies, diagnostic indicators, and treatment goals necessary for advancing mental health assessment, crisis intervention, and trauma treatment. This article aims to enhance theory building, assessment, and practice skills in behavioral health and public health and medical settings. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 3:325 (2003)]
KEY WORDS: crisis, crisis intervention, stress, acute stress disorder, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health, diagnosis, treatment planning