[Psychotrauma in the context of liaison psychiatry]

In the context of liaison psychiatry, potentially traumatic somatic situations at the psychic level are frequent. They can be grouped into three broad categories: 1) psychotrauma in connection with a medical event ; 2) traumatic event at the origin of somatic management ; 3) traumatic event prior to somatic management. It is important to know the possible clinical reactions after a traumatic event. In the immediate aftermath of trauma, a clinical assessment is recommended to allow early identification of subjects at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions should be considered to prevent or to treat the installation of PTSD with the aim of also improving the somatic prognosis.