Phases of posttraumatic adaptation Under normal conditions, new experiences do not differ drastically from our expectations, so that we are able to adapt our Selleck CX-4945 models of the world, our self, and the resulting interactions in a more or less smooth and gradual way. In contrast, traumatic experiences are, by definition, far removed from what an individual expects in so-called normal-life situations,

and as a result, cognitive and emotional functions must adapt in order to restore congruency between Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical the individual’s model of the world, self, and the traumatic experiences that are being integrated. Cognitive and emotional attempts to integrate traumatic experiences appear to run through different phases and levels, in which the coping processes vary in complexity and goals. Strategies that are helpful in the aftermath of a traumatic incident might be counterproductive or even harmful Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical at a later stage, and vice versa. During the acute phase of trauma, the coping process aims to achieve a general reduction in stress through the use of “inner” and “outer” (cognitive and

behavioral) strategies such as escape or avoidance. During the later phases of posttraumatic Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical adaptation, particularly in the event of failure to deal successfully with the traumatic experience in its entirety, coping strategics focus on denial of either the experience as a whole or some of its aspects, as subjects try to hold on to the remnants of competence and coherence of the pretraumatic self.8 In contrast, individuals who feel relatively secure and Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical strong, who are again able to engage in well-integrated relationships and have reccwered their competence in dealing with everyday issues, attempt to confront the memories of the traumatic events emotionally and cog nitively, even though the stresses experienced at the time risk being reawakened in the process. This takes place through a step by step approach of the sealed Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical memories of the experiences that were unbearable in their full extent when the traumatic incident took place. Unanswered questions

The above considerations give rise to a certain number of questions. One problem is that the models of posttraumatic adaptation on which therapeutic concepts are based are purely theoretical,8 without there being, to date, any confirmation by empirical evidence: what, therefore, is the validity of current therapeutic also practice? Another important question relates to the extent of posttraumatic adaptation: traumatized subjects appear to be able to integrate their experiences in such a way that their old models of the world are not completely shattered, but are replaced by new ones influenced by the implications of the traumatic experience, ie, they do not attempt to rigidly restore the old models by ignoring or denying the impact of the traumatic incident.