Culture and posttraumatic stress disorder: a case of elephant attack

Report of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after wild animal attack is rare. A case of PTSD after a wild elephant attack is reported. Ideational components of PTSD symptoms in relation to eco-specificity of the region and the cultural context (religion and myth) of elephant are discussed. Cultural meaning and interpretation of trauma may be helpful for understanding of PTSD symptoms. Forest and adjoining human habitat is potential for human-animal conflicts, and thus needs new focus on ecopsychiatry.