Fragility After Trauma

This chapter highlights that PTSD is a complex and varied disorder that can be associated with other psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, with which it can have a comorbid relationship; PTSD can also be associated with personality, eating, dissociative, antisocial, and aggressive disorders, as well as with increased suicide risk and physical health problems. The chapter also reviews studies showing that children and adolescents can also develop PTSD following traumatic events, and we have described the specific diagnostic criteria for children, which have peculiarities compared with adults. Having made this premise, we have described some tests and scales used to assess PTSD and the impact of trauma, both in adults and children, and we have highlighted the importance of also assessing trauma exposure, the etiology of the disorder, the patient’s history, and his or her adjustment levels.