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Study on victimization of crime: The trauma of crime victims in Japan
Author(s) -
) Konishi
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
psychiatry and clinical neurosciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.609
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1440-1819
pISSN - 1323-1316
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1819.1998.0520s5s139.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , acute stress disorder , posttraumatic stress , psychology , psychological trauma , clinical psychology , medicine
During 6 years (1992–1997), 583 clients received a total of more than 2000 counseling sessions at the Counseling Service for Crime Victim Assistance (CSVA). Clients who receive individual counseling are diverse in features, ranging from those who are in the acute stage a few days after the traumatic event to those who sustained posttraumatic responses decades ago. It is not uncommon that clients are diagnosed as having severe acute stress disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). From the perspective of psychiatric treatment, the CSVA clients can be divided into: (i) people requiring treatment of acute symptoms (primarily dissociation), (ii) chronic PTSD cases, and (iii) complex PTSD cases. Examples of the first two types are presented briefly. The author thinks that the physical and mental responses to trauma may vary to some extent among peoples from different cultural backgrounds. It is necessary to point out that the society and culture related to victimization differ greatly between Japan and the United States. Before arguing about cultural differences of PTSD as a mental disorder, cultural differences of the cases as victims in society must be discussed.