ABSTRACT
Although the DSM-III (APA, 1980) has neatly sanctioned post-traumatic stress disorder in its umbrella of diagnoses, this relatively common human problem has been known for many hundreds of years, although under different names. In this chapter the history of post-traumatic neurosis is briefly reviewed, and the introduction of the new term examined alongside other concepts. It is concluded that post-traumatic stress disorder will be extremely useful in bringing further clarity to the concept that is envisaged by the term, and that it will lead to greater interest in and research of the condition.
