Emotional processing, with special reference to post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

The concept of emotional processing is revised and updated and then applied to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The main extension of the model is the introduction of cognitive influences on emotional processing. A working definition of the concept is presented, with the aim of integrating clinical and experimental observations.The concept allows for an integration of such apparently unrelated events as unwanted intrusive thoughts, re-experiencing, the return of fear, abnormal grief reactions, nightmares, treatment failures, and so on. Factors that facilitate or impede emotional processing are presented and some circumstances that give rise to difficulties in processing are mentioned. A number of theoretical problems are posed and some methodological innovations offered.