RT Journal
A1 McNally RJ
T1 TRauma in childhood
JF Archives of General Psychiatry
JO Archives of General Psychiatry
YR 2007
FD December 1
VO 64
IS 12
SP 1451
OP 1451
DO 10.1001/archpsyc.64.12.1451-a
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.64.12.1451-a
AB 
The striking discrepancy between the prevalence of trauma and the prevalence of PTSD is partly explained by conceptual bracket creep in the definition of trauma. The broader the concept of trauma, the lower the rate of PTSD is likely to be. Indeed, no longer need one be directly exposed to a potentially fatal event to qualify as a victim of trauma. People who merely learn about the serious misfortunes of others now qualify as trauma survivors themselves. As Copeland et al observed, such indirect experiences account for many cases of exposure in their study.