scholarly journals Interdisciplinary Issues at the Intersection of Assessing and Treating Substance Use Disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Clinical Social Work and Clinical Behavioral Analysis with Veterans

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-234
Author(s):  
Monica M. Matthieu ◽  
Alyssa Wilson ◽  
Robert W. Casner
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Clinical Social Work ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Interdisciplinary Treatment ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approaches ◽  
Post Traumatic

Veterans and military personnel may be at higher risk for developing addictions due to increased prevalence rates of co-occurring mental health disorders including posttraumatic stress and substance abuse disorders. However, clinicians may feel unprepared to assess and to treat these co-occurring disorders, especially when it includes a behavioral addiction such as gambling. Clinical social work and clinical behavior analysis are two fields with complementary interdisciplinary approaches that can lead to improved client-centered outcomes. Yet, limited evidence exists to guide interdisciplinary treatment teams in effective treatment of gambling addictions and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The current article provides an interdisciplinary treatment model to assist clinicians in selecting appropriate evidence-based assessments and treatments. A case example focuses on the use of assessment tools and treatment approaches drawn from recommendations from best practice guidelines for veterans. Finally, resources related trauma and addictions are presented.

Usability Assessment of a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) mHealth App

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 1824-1828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Rodriguez-Paras ◽  
Farzan Sasangohar
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Mental Health Disorder ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Color Scheme

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health disorder that can affect those who have experienced a traumatic event. Despite the availability of different treatment options for PTSD, there are several barriers that prevent some patients from receiving treatment. To overcome these barriers, mobile health (mHealth) apps have been developed to allow access to therapeutic and self-assessment tools outside the clinic. Our review of literature shows that the three mostly used apps (PTSD Coach, PE Coach, and CPT Coach) are not empirically evaluated and very little information is available for the process used in design and development of these tools. This paper documents a usability study of the most popular PTSD mHealth app; PTSD Coach. Findings indicate that the learning component of the app provides useful information, the assessment is effective in keeping track of the symptoms, and that some of the tools provided can help mitigate some of the symptoms. However, the color scheme, lack of personalization options, and lack of clarity on the mitigation techniques was deemed to affect usability.

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