Traumatization and posttraumatic stress disorder. Effect of type and number of traumatic experiences

The number and type of traumatic experiences show differential associations with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The associations of number and type of traumatic experiences with PTSD were investigated in a representative population sample in Germany. Traumatic experiences and PTSD were assessed with a self-rating questionnaire in a sample of 2510 participants from the general German population. The risk of (partial) PTSD increased with an increasing number of traumatic experiences. In contrast interpersonal and accidental traumatization showed no substantial differences with respect to the risk of PTSD. To quantify the relevance of the number and type of traumatic experiences for onset and persistence of PTSD, a multidimensional and complex assessment of those experiences is necessary. This is a great challenge in epidemiological research on this topic.