PART I:

ORGANIZED VIOLENCE, TRAUMA THEORY, DIAGNOSIS, AND EPIDEMIOLOGY 

    The first part of the course introduces us to the special problems and needs of survivors of organized violence.  Demographic, economical and health characteristics of the populations concerned are highlighted. Followed by an introduction of the scientific basis of psychotraumatology, the symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and the related Disorders of Extreme Stress (DES).  This includes: psychophysiology of stress and trauma (cognitive and somatic effects), knowledge on the condition of traumatized survivors during acute and chronic states, assessment and diagnosis of PTSD and DES, relationship between testifying and memory change in traumatized individuals (memory theory), review of epidemiological data available for war zones, crisis regions and refugee camps, design of appropriate mental health interventions and self protection measures. Participants will further be introduced to the various human rights instruments that deal with war, torture, organized violence and crimes against humanity as well as to the issue of integrating human rights advocacy, human security and justice seeking with the development of appropriate mental health methodologies at the level of the individual as well as the community.