ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the case study of Matt, who was twenty-eight years old and married with two children, presented for treatment twelve months post-trauma. He was easily distressed and angered by similar incidents reported in the media, and was upset by memories of his inability to defend himself during the attack. During the interview, Matt reported several symptoms typical of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Matt meets criteria for a diagnosis of chronic PTSD, with evidence of a traumatic experience, several re-experiencing symptoms, widespread avoidance and numbing, and persistent hyperarousal. His attempts to deal with the memories by increased avoidance, denial and emotional numbing have resulted in social and occupational problems. In addition there must be repetitive intrusive recollection or re-enactment of the event in memories, daytime imagery or dreams. Conspicuous emotional detachment, numbing of feeling, and avoidance of stimuli that might arouse recollection of the trauma are often present but are not essential for the diagnosis.
