Date of Award

Spring 5-5-2016

Degree Type

Thesis

Department

Political Science

First Reader

Andrea K. Henderson

Second Reader

William Estes

Abstract

As society sees a rise in the addition of medical issues to the DSM that were previously deemed non-medical conditions, there is reason for a multi-variate analysis to take place. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder was added to the DSM-III in 1980 and has seen change both in the DSM-IV and DSM V. To understand these transitions, we start with a historical analysis of the mental health condition to legitimize its need for medicalization. This will then be followed by an analysis of the medicalization process in order to understand the progress that has been made as a mental health condition that requires medical and/or psychological treatment. Its medicalization encompasses empirical data, modern diagnostic and theoretical measures employed, treatment methods, both current and prospective. By understanding the process of its medicalization we can then understand its subsequent sociocultural implications.

First Page

1

Last Page

41

Rights

© 2016, Sarah Elizabeth Truesdale

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