Abstract
Contemporary opinions and approaches concerning reactive disorders are overviewed in the paper, with the focus on legal aspects. These problems are discussed both in their theoretical dimension, i.e. in terms of current modifications in the classification and definitions of reactive disorders, and in the practical aspect, regarding a lack of correspondence between the penal and civil code regulations and advances in modern psychiatry. Difficulties are analyzed ensuing in the court practice from the application of new concepts related to the picture of post-traumatic stress disorder in its acute and chronic form. It is emphasized that detailed, measurable diagnostic criteria should be used, which would allow to diagnose more often the acute (ASD) and chronic (PTSD) stress disorder in forensic psychiatric practice.