Posttraumatic stress disorder in women: assessment and treatment in primary care

The focus of this article is to provide primary care clinicians with a better understanding of women who have undergone sexual trauma and have related post-traumatic stress disorder. Victimization has adverse physical and mental health effects and affects a woman's clinical presentation, her coping skills, and the primary care intervention strategies needed to treat her. The article reviews issues of victimization and related PTSD among women, including the prevalence and sequel of victimization, and provides a theoretical framework for primary care intervention, treatment, and referral.