The History of   Psychological Trauma

The History of  Psychological Trauma by Prof. Eliezer Witztum presents an in-depth exploration of psychological trauma, from its first public recognition in the 19th century to contemporary trauma caused by modern terrorism. The book examines the mental and emotional consequences of traumatic events, the ongoing struggle between denial and recognition, and the influence of legal frameworks, public policy, and economic and military factors on how trauma is understood.
It covers key historical events, including the 19th-century Railway Spine syndrome in England, the World Wars, the Vietnam War, conflicts in Israel, and modern terrorism, offering analyses of psychological effects, cycles of denial and recognition, and practical lessons for clinical practice and organizational response.
The book also includes 84 restored photographs and documents, providing a rich visual resource that enhances the reading experience from cultural, medical, and educational perspectives.

Eliezer Witztum, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Ben-Gurion University. An expert on post-traumatic disorders, trauma research, and victims of terror. Author of over 200 scientific publications. His books in Hebrew from Itay Bahur Publishing include Chapters in the History of Psychiatry (with Jacob Margolin, 2017) and The Enigma of Dissociation (with Netzer Daie and Ayala Daie-Gabai, 2020).