Harvard Trauma Questionnaire Urdu translation: the only cross-culturally validated screening instrument for the assessment of trauma and torture and their sequelae.

Violence is on the increase all over the world. The method, manner and quantum of such actions remain little explored. The common man has clearly received the message of power through the barrel of a gun. In Pakistan the major battle field of ethnic, political, sectarian and communal conflicts was Sindh and Punjab. Trauma and torture leaves a permanent scar on the survivor. It has physical, psychological and social sequelae. The two major psychiatric illnesses associated with trauma and torture are your major Depression and post traumatic stress disorder. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) measures symptoms associated with diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder as defined by DSMIII R manual and symptoms. Obtaining accurate knowledge of traumatic event and symptoms and properly classifying them into a diagnostic system is fundamental for providing effective treatment and good therapeutic intervention. Therefore an attempt is made to translate the HTQ, the only cross-culturally validated screening instrument for the assessment of trauma and torture related to mass violence and their sequelae [corrected].