The different "voices" of PTSD. From linguistic desert to psychotherapy

If the psychic trauma usually and essentially remains within the field of the inexpressible, unspeakable, like a linguistic desert, it surely translates by other "voices". Even if it is pathognomonic of the state of posttraumatic stress, the repetition syndrome is rarely highlighted by the psycho-traumatised patient themselves. Addictive and suicidal behaviour, as well as the physical pain, are both more traditional methods of contact with the health care system. Recent research has brought to light other psycho-traumatic presentations such as repeated dissociative phenomena and transitory or lasting psychotic reactions. The voice of family and friends gains in importance as it temporarily takes the place of the speech of the psycho-traumatised subject. The social vessel also finds an echo in legal recognition or compensation of related damage. If to start with the position of the victim can be useful in the psychic reconstruction, it is also fitting to question the sense of it during psychotherapeutic support, where the subject rebuilds their trajectory through their own words. Over time, the psycho-traumatised subject expresses themselves differently. Initially in indirect ways, then their words suddenly emerge when the other who is accompanying them encourages this revival. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.