Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of a range of trauma responses and has claimed the most
therapeutic attention, but other post-traumatic states are probably, collectively, as common and produce a comparable
level of functional impairment. It is suggested that in accordance with the cognitive theory of emotional disorders
(Alford & Beck, 1997) the post-traumatic states are distinguished by differing cognitive content. Further, it is suggested
that PTSD clients have particular information processing biases and those with a chronic form of the condition have
a cognitive profile similar to those with a personality disorder. The differing cognitive architecture amongst the post-traumatic states suggests different treatment focii (Scott & Stradling, 2001).
