scholarly journals Treatment of survivor guilt after trauma using imagery rescripting: a proof-of-concept study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Hannah Murray ◽  
Evelina Medin ◽  
Gary Brown
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Survivor Guilt ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Process Measures ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Imagery Rescripting ◽  
Therapy Sessions

Abstract Survivor guilt can arise after surviving a trauma in which others die. No studies have systematically investigated psychological treatment for survivor guilt. The present study was a proof-of-concept investigation of treatment of survivor guilt using imagery rescripting. Thirteen participants with post-traumatic stress disorder and self-reported survivor guilt attended two consecutive imagery therapy sessions, to first elaborate and then rescript related imagery. Significant improvements were observed on idiographic process measures of cognitons, emotions and distress related to survivor guilt following the rescripting session. The study provides preliminary evidence that imagery rescripting can be used as an experiential technique to treat survivor guilt.

scholarly journals Survivor guilt: a cognitive approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Murray ◽  
Yasmin Pethania ◽  
Evelina Medin
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
List Type ◽  
Survivor Guilt ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cognitive Approach ◽  
Treatment Interventions ◽  
Psychological Models ◽  
Post Traumatic

Abstract Survivor guilt is a common experience following traumatic events in which others have died. However, little research has addressed the phenomenology of survivor guilt, nor has the issue been conceptualised using contemporary psychological models which would help guide clinicians in effective treatment approaches for this distressing problem. This paper summarises the current survivor guilt research literature and psychological models from related areas, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, moral injury and traumatic bereavement. Based on this literature, a preliminary cognitive approach to survivor guilt is proposed. A cognitive conceptualisation is described, and used as a basis to suggest potential treatment interventions for survivor guilt. Both the model and treatment strategies require further detailed study and empirical validation, but provide testable hypotheses to stimulate further research in this area. Key learning aims (1) To appreciate an overview of the current available literature on the phenomenology and prevalence of survivor guilt. (2) To understand a preliminary cognitive conceptualisation of survivor guilt. (3) To understand and be able to implement treatment recommendations for addressing survivor guilt.

scholarly journals Imagery rescripting and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing as treatment for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder from childhood trauma: randomised clinical trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 217 (5) ◽  
pp. 609-615
Author(s):  
Katrina L. Boterhoven de Haan ◽  
Christopher W. Lee ◽  
Eva Fassbinder ◽  
Saskia M. van Es ◽  
Simone Menninga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Randomised Clinical Trial ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Imagery Rescripting

BackgroundInvestigation of treatments that effectively treat adults with post-traumatic stress disorder from childhood experiences (Ch-PTSD) and are well tolerated by patients is needed to improve outcomes for this population.AimsThe purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two trauma-focused treatments, imagery rescripting (ImRs) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), for treating Ch-PTSD.MethodWe conducted an international, multicentre, randomised clinical trial, recruiting adults with Ch-PTSD from childhood trauma before 16 years of age. Participants were randomised to treatment condition and assessed by blind raters at multiple time points. Participants received up to 12 90-min sessions of either ImRs or EMDR, biweekly.ResultsA total of 155 participants were included in the final intent-to-treat analysis. Drop-out rates were low, at 7.7%. A generalised linear mixed model of repeated measures showed that observer-rated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms significantly decreased for both ImRs (d = 1.72) and EMDR (d = 1.73) at the 8-week post-treatment assessment. Similar results were seen with secondary outcome measures and self-reported PTSD symptoms. There were no significant differences between the two treatments on any standardised measure at post-treatment and follow-up.ConclusionsImRs and EMDR treatments were found to be effective in treating PTSD symptoms arising from childhood trauma, and in reducing other symptoms such as depression, dissociation and trauma-related cognitions. The low drop-out rates suggest that the treatments were well tolerated by participants. The results from this study provide evidence for the use of trauma-focused treatments for Ch-PTSD.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Children in Disaster: Evaluation and Recovery (CIDER) Protocol for Traumatized Adolescents in South Korea: A Preliminary Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mi-Sun Lee ◽  
Hyun Soo Kim ◽  
Eun Jin Park ◽  
Soo-Young Bhang
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Group Psychotherapy ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Traumatic Memory ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic

We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of trauma-focused group psychotherapy in adolescents who experienced traumatic events in Korea. Participants were assigned and recruited from two sites in Korea. Children in Disaster: Evaluation and Recovery (CIDER) V1.0 is a trauma-focused group psychotherapy approach consisting of psychoeducation, normalization, stabilization, and techniques of managing the traumatic memory. The CIDER intervention consists of eight 50-minute-long sessions. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated using the Korean version of the Children’s Response to Traumatic Events Scale-Revised (K-CRTES-R), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State Anxiety Inventory for Children (SAIC), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedQL). Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. We recruited 22 traumatized adolescents (mean age 16 years; SD 1.43; range 13–18 years old; 71.4% boys) in this pilot study. The K-CRTES-R scores were significantly improved (Z = −2.85, p < 0.01). The BDI demonstrated the effectiveness of the therapy (Z = −2.35, p < 0.05). The assessment of the PedQL supported the effect of CIDER (Z = −3.08, p < 0.01). However, there was no statistically significant differences in the SAIC scores (Z = −1.90, p > 0.05). The results show that there is preliminary evidence that CIDER intervention reduces post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms and improves quality of life. Our findings indicate that CIDER is feasible for treating adolescents exposed to traumatic events. Larger controlled trials are needed to establish the efficacy of this trauma-focused group psychotherapy and examine its impact on post-traumatic stress disorder.

COVID-19, hypocortisolism, and psychosomatic sequelae

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi Philip Rajkumar
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

There is preliminary evidence that some patients recovering from novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may experience ongoing symptoms such as myalgia, fatigue and headache. Such symptoms have been observed as persistent sequelae of the earlier outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). In this paper, evidence is presented that novel coronavirus infections may be associated with hypocortisolism which may persist for weeks or months, and that this may be a risk factor for both post-viral symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder in patients recovering from COVID-19. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon may involve reversible inflammation or dysfunction at the level of the pituitary gland, or a dysregulated host immune or stress response. The implications of these findings for the assessment and management of patients recovering from the acute phase of COVID-19 are discussed.

Acknowledging Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Treatment Utilisation Amongst Israeli Bedouin and Jewish Combat Veterans

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shai Shorer ◽  
Yael Caspi ◽  
Hadass Goldblatt ◽  
Faisal Azaiza
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Treatment Utilisation ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Many veterans coping with combat-post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) refrain from seeking psychological treatment. We explored the nature of illness recognition and treatment utilisation in two different cultural groups of Israeli veterans—Bedouin and Jewish. Using qualitative research methods, we interviewed twenty veterans dealing with PTSD (ten Bedouin and ten Jewish) and ten mental health professionals. Participants shared their experiences of symptoms, the ways they coped, and their perception of the costs and benefits of psychological treatment. Two main themes emerged: (i) ‘Veterans’ Perceptions of Their Mental Injury’. In stark contrast to their Jewish counterparts, Bedouin participants described extreme lack of understanding regarding the relationship between their exposure to combat trauma and their distress; (ii) ‘Veterans’ Perceptions of the Mental Health Services’. Bedouin veterans expressed fear of the stigma associated with PTSD and its detrimental social implications, for them and their families. Jewish veterans emphasised the beneficial and informative role of therapy. The findings underscore the impact of different cultural codes on help-seeking behaviours and on the ability to benefit from psychological treatment. It is recommended that mental health practitioners consider cultural backgrounds and individual differences when implementing trauma interventions, to fine-tune their suitability to veterans facing excessive barriers to care.

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