Post-tRauMatIc stRess DIsoRDeR anD PsychosIs

The sociopolitical and historical contexts in which trauma takes place can have a major influence on the expression of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with or without psychotic features. This article shows that mental health professionals should understand the relationship between contextual factors, trauma and psychosis, particularly in immigrants and asylum seekers who have experienced trauma after torture. In helping such patients, it is important to understand the context of post-traumatic reactions, pre-morbid personality influences, individual strategies for the preservation of dignity and factors in host countries that may increase paranoia among people with PTSD, and to develop psychotherapies that are integrated with social support systems.