Firefighter-Paramedic With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Horrific Images, and Depression: A Clinical Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-165
Author(s):  
Michael A. Gramlich ◽  
Sandra M. Neer
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Multifaceted Intervention ◽  
Clinical Case Study ◽  
Clinically Significant

Despite the existence of evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), no identifiable study reported delivery of exposure therapy for a first responder with PTSD, as well as horrific images that generalized beyond the index trauma to loved ones. Horrific images have been defined as strongly aversive intrusive thoughts such as images of dismembered bodies or disgusting scenes. This clinical case describes the assessment and treatment of Ryan, a 41-year-old, firefighter-paramedic who completed a multifaceted intervention that included imaginal exposure therapy, behavioral activation, and cognitive therapy for depression. PTSD symptoms as measured by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) displayed a clinically significant decrease from 25 at pretreatment to 3 at 2-month-follow-up, indicating Ryan no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. In addition, Ryan endorsed a clinically significant reduction in horrific images from 21 per week at pretreatment to 0 at 2-month-follow-up. Depressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory–Second Edition (BDI-II) demonstrated a clinically significant decrease from 18 at pretreatment to 1 at 2-month-follow-up, indicating Ryan no longer met diagnostic criteria for depression. This clinical case study provides evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness of delivering a multifaceted intervention for a first responder with multiple psychiatric disorders.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Head Trauma: Follow-up of a Case Study

1993 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur MacNeill Horton
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Head Trauma ◽  
Behavior Therapy ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Neuropsychological Deficits ◽  
Current Report

A current conceptual conundrum is the question of whether it is possible to have a co-occurrence of both Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and head trauma. The current report describes the results of behavior therapy and a series of neuropsychological tests for a man who suffered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and neuropsychological deficits after an automobile accident. A series of neuropsychological test batteries documented considerable improvement. The patient was also treated for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with behavior therapy so symptoms abated much earlier than the neuropsychological deficits.

Cognitive-Behavioural Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Awareness under Anaesthesia: A Case Study

2005 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginald D. V. Nixon ◽  
Richard A. Bryant ◽  
Michelle L. Moulds
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Restructuring ◽  
Behavioural Treatment ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Treatment ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

The aim of the current paper is to describe the tailoring of cognitive-behavioural treatment for a female client who developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) subsequent to awareness under anaesthetic during an emergency caesarean procedure. Treatment consisted of prolonged and in vivo exposure, and cognitive restructuring over eight sessions. Assessment was conducted prior to treatment, immediately after treatment, and at 6- and 24-month follow-up. Follow-up at 24 months demonstrated good outcome, with the client no longer meeting criteria for PTSD.

A Case Study: The Integration of Intensive EMDR and Ego State Therapy to Treat Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farnsworth Lobenstine ◽  
Deborah Courtney
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Supportive Therapy ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Depression And Anxiety

This study used a quantitative, single-case study design to examine the effectiveness of the integration of intensive eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and ego state therapy for the treatment of an individual diagnosed with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The participant received 25.5 hr of treatment in a 3-week period, followed with 12 hr of primarily supportive therapy over the next 6-week period. Clinical symptoms decreased as evidenced by reduction in scores from baseline to 6-week follow-up on the following scales: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) from 46 (severe depression) to 15 (mild mood disorder), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) from 37 (severe anxiety) to 25 (moderate anxiety), and Impact of Events Scale from 50 (severe PTSD symptoms) to 12 (below PTSD cutoff). Scores showed further reductions at 6-month follow-up. Results show the apparent effectiveness of the integration of intensive EMDR and ego state work.

scholarly journals EMDR Treatment of Comorbid PTSD and Alcohol Dependence: A Case Example

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy J. Abel ◽  
John M. O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Adjunctive Treatment ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Full Remission ◽  
Growing Body

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy that has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A relatively small but growing body of literature indicates that EMDR may be an effective adjunctive treatment for substance abuse. This article reviews the various protocols that have been developed for that purpose, including protocols by Vogelmann-Sine et al., Omaha, Popky, and Hase. A case study that incorporates the use of some of these interventions is presented to illustrate successful EMDR treatment of a woman who had long-standing comorbid alcohol abuse and PTSD. Two-year follow-up after EMDR showed that the woman was successfully maintaining sobriety and that the PTSD continued in full remission. After a discussion of the important aspects of this case, the authors explore future directions for research.

EMDR Treatment of Past Domestic Violence: A Clinical Vignette

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin M. Phillips ◽  
Blanche Freund ◽  
Joanne Fordiani ◽  
Rachel Kuhn ◽  
Gail Ironson
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
The Third

This case study describes the use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for a woman who met criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to past domestic violence. Outcome measures were used to assess the client’s symptoms at intake, after the third and sixth active EMDR sessions, and at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. In addition to the use of outcome measures, at 3-month follow-up the client was evaluated by a therapist who was blind to the type of treatment the client had received. Results indicated that after nine active sessions of EMDR, the client no longer met criteria for PTSD and no longer endorsed symptoms of depression or intrusive thoughts. Thus, EMDR was successful in treating PTSD symptoms associated with past domestic violence, and effects were maintained at 3-month follow-up.

Three- to Four-Year Follow-Up to an Open Trial of Nefazodone for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 215-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hertzberg ◽  
Michelle Feldman ◽  
Jean Beckham ◽  
Scott Moore ◽  
Jonathan Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Open Trial
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