What does Etiotropic mean?
It means that the assessment and treatment activities all focus on the “etiology” of the trauma. “Etiology” means the source or cause of a disease or problem. In this case, ETM theory states that the etiology of the trauma is contradicted existential identity. Your “existential identity” is made up of your values, beliefs, image and reality. So for example, if my husband gets drunk and acts like an idiot in public, many of my values, beliefs, images and reality will be contradicted. I believe that getting drunk is dangerous and wrong. My image of my husband is of a steady, sober man who also believes that getting drunk is wrong. I value trustworthiness, stability and the opinions of others. Therefore, my husband’s toxic (drunk) behavior contradicts my existential identity. If it goes unresolved, this will be the continuous source or etiology of my trauma.
