Trauma, traumatization, Acute stress reaction, Posttraumatic stress disorder and other disorders following exposure to traumatic stress are described. Classification according to ICD and DSM are presented and critically valued. The complex Posttraumatic Stress disorder is introduced in its symptoms and with a proposal for a classification. Problems in assessing traumatized individuals are referred and recommendations for interviews and testing procedure are presented. Structured interviews and tests in german language are described. Due to control stress load by the process of assessing the economic choice of instruments is recommended.