ABSTRACT
This chapter questions to what extent an unpolitical concept of trauma, like the one of the psychological mainstream, is problematic. Additionally, by reference to the works of Becker (2014), Brunner (2014) and Hillebrandt (2004), a trauma concept is presented which includes political and social levels. On the basis of a discussion about refugees in Europe, it is shown how a changed trauma-discourse can create changes in the treatment and perception of trauma victims. It becomes clear that a public and political reprocessing and acknowledgment of the trauma helps to decrease psychological and physical suffering. Also, the significance of psychotherapy and reparations for a greater chance of a successful symbolisation process becomes apparent. Within the refugee-discourse, the term trauma increasingly transforms into aid to the asylum process that affects the work of psychotherapists as well. Even if social and political discussion of a traumatic experience – for example, a clinical report – neglects the situational perception of an individual, examples in this chapter show that the chance of extending the vocabulary, as well as the repertoire of behaviour of the individual through a scientific discourse, prevails.
