This book provides a state-of-the-art guide to the rapidly growing field of traumatic stress. It reviews and integrates the many scientific findings from psychology, psychiatry and sociology into an encompassing model. This general model is applicable to the reactions to war stress, disaster, violence, accidents and bereavement. Topics such as normal and disturbed coping patterns, social support and various risk factors are also discussed. In addition to the theoretical model, a number of treatment methods for posttraumatic stress disorders is described. Theoretical and practical issues of these treatments are presented. The efficiency of the methods is elucidated by the description of a psychotherapy outcome study on these methods. Information of prevention programs for victims of serious life events is also provided. This integrative approach is of interest to researchers, clinicians, public health workers, physicians, personnel workers, and all other professionals who are involved in research and/or health care with regard to traumatic events.