[Posttraumatic stress disorder. 1. Background]

This article gives a review of the theoretical and clinical conditions in the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a diagnosis which was introduced in 1980. Investigations suggest a definite relationship between the traumata and the subsequent stress disturbances while the roles played by premorbid factors and the paratraumatic happenings are still not elucidated. The conditions is common after violent traumata. The subsequent course tends to be chronic although the prognosis in many cases in which rapid intervention is instituted is good. Greater awareness of the occurrence of PTSD is recommended.