scholarly journals Intensive EMDR to Treat Patients With Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannelies Bongaerts ◽  
Agnes Van Minnen ◽  
Ad de Jongh
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Complex Ptsd ◽  
Symptom Scale ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Emdr Therapy

There is mounting evidence suggesting that by increasing the frequency of treatment sessions, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment outcomes significantly improve. As part of an ongoing research project, this study examined the safety and effectiveness of intensive eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in a group of seven (four female) patients suffering from complex PTSD and multiple comorbidities resulting from childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or work and combat-related trauma. Treatment was not preceded by a preparation phase and consisted of 2 × 4 consecutive days of EMDR therapy administered in morning and afternoon sessions of 90 minutes each, interspersed with intensive physical activity and psychoeducation. Outcome measures were the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the PTSD Symptom Scale Self-report questionnaire (PSS-SR). During treatment, neither personal adverse events nor dropout occurred. CAPS scores decreased significantly from pre- to posttreatment, and four of the seven patients lost their PTSD diagnosis as established with the CAPS. The results were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) on the CAPS and PSS-SR were large: 3.2, 1.7 (prepost) and 2.3, 2.1 (prefollow-up), respectively. The results of this case series suggest that an intensive program using EMDR therapy is a potentially safe and effective treatment alternative for complex PTSD. The application of massed, consecutive days of treatments using EMDR therapy for patients suffering from PTSD, particularly those with multiple comorbidities, merits more clinical and research attention.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Emotional Problems in Children Following Motor Vehicle Accidents: An Extended Case Series

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett M. McDermott ◽  
Anita Cvitanovich
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Motor Vehicle Accidents ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Vehicle Accidents ◽  
Research Interview

Objective: The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and general psychopathology in children following motor vehicle accidents (MVA) was investigated. Method: Twenty-six subjects aged 8–13 years presenting to an emergency department following an MVA were assessed 3 months after the accident using a standard clinical psychiatric assessment, a structured research interview and self- and parent-report questionnaires. Results: A higher prevalence of psychopathology was seen in the sample compared with community controls. Self-report of PTSD symptoms revealed 22% subjects in the moderate or severe PTSD range and 35% of mild severity. There was significant concordance between self-report PTSD scores and a clinical diagnosis of PTSD. Perception of threat and the internalising subscale on the Child Behaviour Checklist were significantly correlated with PTSD scores. Conclusions: PTSD and other symptoms of emotional distress are common following MVAs. The clinical and public health implications are discussed, and areas for further research highlighted.

scholarly journals Treatment of a Multitraumatized Tortured Refugee Needing an Interpreter with Exposure Therapy

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Søndergaard Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Exposure Therapy ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Torture Survivors ◽  
Symptom Scale ◽  
Chronic Ptsd ◽  
Harvard Trauma Questionnaire

This paper described the application and feasibility of exposure therapy treatment (ET) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a multitraumatized tortured refugee with chronic PTSD and depression, in need of an interpreter. The patient received 26 one-hour sessions of ET involving exposure to his trauma-related memories. Symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety were assessed at pre- and posttreatment and 3-, 6-, and 12-month followup with the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ-R), PTSD Symptom Scale-Self Report (PSS-SR), Major depression inventory (MDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Treatment led to a significant improvement across all measures of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, and the improvement was maintained at the 12-month follow-up. The results from this case study provide further preliminary evidence that ET may be effective in treating multi-traumatized torture survivors who are refugees and in need of an interpreter, despite the additional stressors and symptoms complexity experienced by tortured refugees.

Standard EMDR Protocol for Alcohol and Substance Dependence Comorbid With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Four Cases With 12-Month Follow-Up

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Kullack ◽  
Jonathan Laugharne
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Substance Dependence ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress

This report begins with a summary of the literature regarding the theoretical models behind the comorbid relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders and the various modified addiction protocols formulated to assist in treating these disorders. This case series outlines the effect that the standard eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) protocol had on alcohol and substance dependence for 4 patients who attended our Post Traumatic Stress Clinic in Fremantle, Western Australia, primarily for treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. Patients were assessed for substance use disorders using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus prior to, immediately after, and 12 months after completing EMDR therapy. Results indicate that the standard EMDR protocol was successful in reducing alcohol and substance use. Prior to treatment, 3 patients met criteria for alcohol dependence and 1 met criteria for substance dependence. At 12-month follow-up, 3 out of 4 clients did not meet the diagnostic criteria for current alcohol dependence or current substance dependence. The implications of these findings are discussed with reference to theories of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder and the modified EMDR protocols developed for patients with substance dependence.

Overwhelming Grief in a Traumatized World: Evolving Perspectives in Treatment

2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane A. Kempson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Complex Ptsd ◽  
Treatment Interventions ◽  
Traditional Treatment ◽  
Health Care Practitioners ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Morbid Conditions

Treatment of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often associated with co-morbid conditions, has been insufficiently studied and somewhat resistant to traditional treatment interventions. More recent research in the neurobiology of PTSD offers illumination in understanding reasons for such intractability. Neuroscience studies suggest possible reasons for the inabilities of persons with complex PTSD to verbalize their experiences. As a result, health care practitioners are challenged to find more effective interventions in these situations and to stay abreast of the newest research. The author reviews empirical findings of alternative/complementary interventions with a specific focus on body-oriented therapies in facilitating return to normal neurobiological functioning, thereby enhancing efficacy of “talk” therapies in resolution of PTSD.

Psychometric properties of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale Interview for DSM–5 (PSSI–5).

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1159-1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edna B. Foa ◽  
Carmen P. McLean ◽  
Yinyin Zang ◽  
Jody Zhong ◽  
Sheila Rauch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Symptom Scale ◽  
Dsm 5 ◽  
Disorder Symptom

Three Studies on the Reliability and Validity of a Self-Report Measure of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Assessment ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Lauterbach ◽  
Scott Vrana
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
The Impact

This paper describes three studies of the reliability and validity of a newly revised version of the Purdue Posttraumatic Stress Disorder scale (PPTSD-R). The PPTSD-R is a 17-item questionnaire that yields four scores: Reexperiencing, Avoidance, Arousal, and Total. It is highly internally consistent (α = .91), and the scores are relatively stable across time. The PPTSD-R is highly correlated with other measures of PTSD symptomatology and moderately correlated with measures of related psychopathology, providing preliminary support for the measure's convergent and discriminant validity. It reliably distinguishes between groups of people who were and were not traumatized, it is sensitive to the impact of different types of traumatic events, and (within a clinical sample) it discriminates between those who did and did not seek treatment for difficulty coping with the traumatic event being assessed. The PPTSD-R shows promise as a measure of PTSD symptoms in the college population.

scholarly journals Influence of Spirituality on Depression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Suicidality in Active Duty Military Personnel

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel L. Hourani ◽  
Jason Williams ◽  
Valerie Forman-Hoffman ◽  
Marian E. Lane ◽  
Belinda Weimer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Combat Exposure ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Active Duty Military

Understanding the role of spirituality as a potential coping mechanism for military personnel is important given growing concern about the mental health issues of personnel returning from war. This study seeks to determine the extent to which spirituality is associated with selected mental health problems among active duty military personnel and whether it moderates the relationship between combat exposure/deployment and (a) depression, (b) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and (c) suicidality in active duty military personnel. Data were drawn from the 2008 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel. Over 24,000 randomly selected active duty personnel worldwide completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire. High spirituality had a significant protective effect only for depression symptoms. Medium, as opposed to high or low, levels of spirituality buffered each of the mental health outcomes to some degree. Medium and low spirituality levels predicted depression symptoms but only among those with moderate combat exposure. Medium spirituality levels also predicted PTSD symptoms among those with moderate levels of combat exposure and predicted self-reported suicidal ideation/attempt among those never deployed. These results point to the complex relationship between spirituality and mental health, particularly among military personnel and the need for further research.

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