Psychologist, 16 years’ experience, USA

2020 ◽  
pp. 19-21
Author(s):  
Markus Reuber ◽  
Gregg H. Rawlings ◽  
Steven C. Schachter
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Treatment Modality ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
The One

This chapter details how a psychologist opened up therapy groups to accommodate patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). In those groups, the psychologist had the chance to hear multiple stories and, quite by accident, informally conducted what might be considered qualitative research. The one thing that began to stand out pretty consistently was the presence of psychological trauma. Often while discussing the trauma, patients would experience a seizure. As such, a trauma-based treatment modality that has been around for decades and that has been specifically designed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might be useful to treat patients who carry a dual diagnosis of PNES and PTSD. The chapter then argues that perhaps the dismissive attitudes of many health professionals toward these patients stem from ignorance and that if they really understood the profound suffering these patients have been through and now continue to experience, they might change their views and behaviors.

scholarly journals Acceptability of a Plasticity-Focused Serious Game Intervention for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: User Requirements Analysis (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Jones ◽  
Alena Denisova ◽  
Stephen Mitchell ◽  
Tom Owen
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Requirements Analysis ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Service Users

BACKGROUND Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is a first-line treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite a solid evidence base, TF-CBT response and attrition rates vary considerably. Plasticity-focused interventions, including the use of serious games, have the potential to improve TF-CBT response and treatment retention. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability of a mobile phone–delivered plasticity-focused serious game to improve response to TF-CBT for PTSD, and carry out a user requirements analysis should the development of a prototype be warranted. METHODS We conducted 2 one-to-one interviews (n=2), one focus group involving service users who had received a diagnosis of PTSD (n=3) and one focus group involving psychological trauma service clinicians (n=4). RESULTS We found that the concept of a plasticity-focused mobile phone intervention for PTSD is acceptable to patients and clinicians. Service users and clinicians both believed that the usage should be guided by a therapist, and both contributed useful inputs regarding the audiovisual aspects of the proposed serious game. It was accepted that the game would not be suitable for all patients and that clinicians would need to appropriately prescribe the usage of the game. CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the acceptability of the proposed serious game and clarify the user requirements for such an intervention. It is the intention of the authors to carry out a user experience evaluation using a prototype serious game in a clinical population.

scholarly journals Update on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder

2000 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Therapeutic Effects

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a maladaptive, pathological response to a traumatic event which is currently underdiagnosed and undertreated. This results in part from a lack of awareness regarding the prevalence of the disorder. It has been estimated that at least one third of the general population will be exposed to severe trauma throughout their lifetime, out of which approximately 10 % to 20 % develop PTSD. A prevalence of 3 % to 6 % of PTSD in the general population, found in several studies, corresponds well with these figures. Both the type of trauma and the personal characteristics of the individual involved are associated with the probability of developing PTSD. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed (DSM-IV) gives four diagnostic criteria: (i) exposure and emotional response to a traumatic event; (ii) reexperiencing; (iii) avoidance; and (iv) increased physiological arousal, along with severe impairment in occupational, social, and interpersonal functioning. The rate of comorbidity with other mental disorders is high, particularly for major depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. Different types of psychological intervention, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and a host of pharmacological interventions, have been tried. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are currently the most widely researched agents with consistent, though modest, therapeutic effects. Other compounds, such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) have also been found to be effective, although their use is limited due to side effects. PTSD is a psychobiological phenomenon in response to psychological trauma, which represents maladaptive neurobiological deregulation and psychological dysfunction, and awaits further recognition and research.

Neuropsychology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 273-290
Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Vasterling ◽  
Gabriel S. Walt
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Neuropsychological Tasks ◽  
Relationship Of

Exposure to psychological trauma is sometimes followed by significant emotional and behavioral changes that constitute post-traumatic stress reactions, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Neurocognitive decrements constitute one of the core features of PTSD, and a growing literature has identified specific patterns of neurocognitive compromise and related neurobiological features. This chapter provides an overview of neurocognitive features of PTSD, including performance on both standardized, emotionally neutral neuropsychological tasks and information processing abnormalities in the context of emotionally relevant stimuli. Direction of causality is also discussed, namely whether neurocognitive integrity is a moderator of psychological outcomes following trauma exposure and/or whether neurocognition is adversely affected by PTSD development. The chapter also includes a review of associated biological features potentially underlying expressed neurocognitive features, including neuroimaging findings, neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine characteristics, and genetic and epigenetic factors. In addition, it provides a brief overview of some of the major theoretical frameworks relevant to cognitive processes as a mechanism for PTSD development and maintenance. Finally, the chapter addresses the relationship of neurocognitive functioning to treatment, both as a predictor of treatment response and as an outcome of treatment.

Interventions for the Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults After Exposure to Psychological Trauma

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Gartlehner ◽  
Catherine A. Forneris ◽  
Kimberly A. Brownley ◽  
Bradley N. Gaynes ◽  
Jeffrey Sonis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Trauma
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