The Traumatic Neuroses of War by Abram Kardiner
This 2012 reprint faithfully reproduces the 1941 edition of Abram Kardiner's groundbreaking psychological work. As an exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software, this text preserves the integrity of one of the most important works in trauma psychology.
The Seminal Text on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Most PTSD authors agree that Kardiner's "Traumatic Neuroses of War" represents the foundational psychological work on post-traumatic stress disorder. Drawing from his experience as attending specialist at the U.S. Veterans Hospital since 1925, Kardiner distilled psychiatric thought on the traumatic syndrome resulting from World War II, coining what he termed "neurosis of war."
Key Clinical Insights and Syndrome Features
Kardiner identified critical symptoms of war trauma including fixation on the trauma, constriction of personality functioning, and atypical dream life. His powerful insights on the phenomenology, nosology, and treatment of war-related stress anticipated virtually every aspect of contemporary PTSD research, making this text essential reading for clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and trauma specialists.
Theoretical Framework and Adaptive Failure
Kardiner's theoretical breakthrough came after writing "The Individual and His Society," which addressed adaptation problems. He concluded that traumatic neurosis of war resulted from an adaptive failure rather than a conflictual illness. The defensive maneuvers employed to ward off trauma sometimes destroyed the individual's adaptive capacity entirely. This revolutionary perspective re-introduced the concept of traumatic neurosis into psychoanalytic theory.
Historical Significance for Mental Health Professionals
Published by Martino Fine Books, this paperback historical reprint provides access to Kardiner's classic observations and theoretical frameworks. The text remains relevant for understanding military psychology, veterans' mental health resources, and the evolution of trauma studies. Essential for academic reference collections, clinical training programs, and anyone studying the historical development of PTSD treatment methodologies.
About This Edition
This exact facsimile preserves the original 1941 text without modern alterations, offering readers authentic access to Kardiner's pioneering work as it was originally presented. The reproduction maintains historical accuracy for scholars and practitioners studying the foundations of trauma psychology and psychoanalytic approaches to war-related stress disorders.
