A review of theories of traumatic neurosis or posttraumatic stress
disorder reveals a relative neglect of the role of posttraumatic imagery.
The broad range of imagery has not been recognized, nor its role in the
disorder adequately formulated. A two-dimensional framework for
understanding posttraumatic stress disorder based on 1) repetitions of
trauma-related images, affects, somatic states, and actions and 2)
defensive functioning puts into perspective the centrality of traumatic
imagery, implies a reorganization of DSM-III criteria, points to new
directions for research, and clarifies diagnostic and clinical
confusion.
Abstract Teaser