Post-traumatic stress and its associated disorders, including Post-traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after exposure to one or more terrifying events. It is a severe and ongoing emotional reaction to an extreme psychological trauma, such as a death or a threat to life, serious physical injury, or threat to physical and/or psychological integrity. The book begins with a description of PTSD and other related problems often experienced by survivors, and a short history of developments in the field. Information on assessment, theory, research findings, and treatment procedures are provided. Further chapters reflect new theoretical thinking and directions in the field of trauma. It discusses the types of support that should be provided at an early stage for people and families affected by a sudden traumatic bereavement (e.g., homicide), and presents this information in a practical and accessible way. Though mainly intended for sufferers of post-traumatic stress, and their families and friends, it will also be of interest to the general reader. The book will also be an invaluable resource for professionals, particularly those who want to know about the psychological impact and management of trauma in a variety of contexts, such as general practitioners, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses and those in the voluntary sector.

Author Biography

Stephen Regel is Principal Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and Co-director of the Centre for Trauma, Resilience and Growth, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust & Special Lecturer in the School of Sociology and Social Policy, Nottingham University. He is a visiting therapist/consultant at the Family Trauma Centre in Belfast NHS Trust, Northern Ireland and a regular contributor to the MA in Disaster Management at the University of Copenhagen. He has over 25 years experience working with victims of trauma, dividing his time between clinical, teaching and research activities. He is a consultant to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support and a member of the British Red Cross Psychosocial Support Team. He regularly provides training and consultancy on post trauma support for a number of UK police forces and other agencies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. Stephen Joseph is Professor of Psychology, Health and Social Care in the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Nottingham, and an Honorary Consultant Psychologist in Psychotherapy in Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. Prior to this Stephen worked at the University of Warwick on the clinical psychology training programme. Stephen completed his PhD in 1991 at the Institute of Psychiatry on the topic of trauma in survivors of disaster. Trauma remains the focus of his research and clinical interests, with his recent work specialising in growth following adversity.