scholarly journals The Quality, Readability, Completeness, and Accuracy of PTSD Websites for Firefighters

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (20) ◽  
pp. 7629
Author(s):  
Shannon C. Killip ◽  
Natalie K. R. Kwong ◽  
Joy C. MacDermid ◽  
Amber J. Fletcher ◽  
Nicholas R. Carleton
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Treatment Recommendations ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Search For Information

Firefighters appear at an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because of PTSD-related stigma, firefighters may search for information online. The current study evaluated the quality, readability, and completeness of PTSD online resources, and to determine how the online treatment recommendations align with current evidence. Google.ca (Canada) searches were performed using four phrases: ‘firefighter PTSD’, ‘firefighter operational stress’, ‘PTSD symptoms’, and ‘PTSD treatment’. The 75 websites identified were assessed using quality criteria for consumer health information (DISCERN), readability and health literacy statistics, content analysis, and a comparison of treatments mentioned to the current best evidence. The average DISCERN score was 43.8 out of 75 (indicating ‘fair’ quality), with 9 ‘poor’ websites (16–30), 31 ‘fair’ websites (31–45), 26 “good” websites (46–60), and nine excellent websites (61–75). The average grade level required to understand the health-related content was 10.6. The most mentioned content was PTSD symptoms (48/75 websites) and PTSD treatments (60/75 websites). The most frequently mentioned treatments were medications (41/75 websites) and cognitive behavioural therapy (40/75 websites). Cognitive behavioural therapy is supported by strong evidence, but evidence for medications appears inconsistent in current systematic reviews. Online PTSD resources exist for firefighters, but the information is challenging to read and lacks evidence-based treatment recommendations.

scholarly journals An adapted imaginal exposure approach to traditional methods used within trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy, trialled with a veteran population

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manveer Kaur ◽  
Dominic Murphy ◽  
Kirsten V. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Client Group ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Poor Access ◽  
Intrusive Imagery

AbstractTrauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) is beneficial for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, a subset of clients struggle to engage with traditional methods, due to high levels of avoidance and dissociation. This paper aims to describe an adapted approach to imaginal reliving and prolonged exposure, to facilitate subsequent cognitive updating. The paper demonstrates the technique with veterans, who are a client group that may struggle with some aspects of traditionally implemented TF-CBT. Two case studies are described, both with PTSD symptoms stemming from traumatic military experiences. An adapted exposure technique is utilized to address the barriers of high dissociation, poor access to trauma-related cognitions and fixed intrusive imagery. The approach involved three stages: (1) reliving the trauma outdoors, (2) manipulating the perspectives of the imagery, and (3) restructuring the narrative with new perspectives. Both clients showed decreased dissociation and improved toleration of their traumatic imagery. Improvement of PTSD symptoms and quality-of-life functioning was observed for both clients on objective measures. Adapting TF-CBT to have a stronger emphasis on grounding and allocentric processing may be helpful for a subset of patients with PTSD that present with high levels of dissociation and avoidance. Further research and investigation into alternative populations is needed.

scholarly journals Could neurosurgical patients benefit from psychotherapy? A few words on the use of cognitive-behavioural therapy in brain injured patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-118
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Pawełczyk ◽  
◽  
Maciej Błaszczyk ◽  
Tomasz Pawełczyk ◽  
Maciej Radek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Craniocerebral Injuries ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Surgical Methods ◽  
Neurosurgical Patients

Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of various mental disorders. The present study reviews the available literature on the use and effectiveness of this therapy, both its classic form and more recent approaches (the so called “third wave”), among patients with brain injuries and those treated with surgical methods. We present a number of studies describing the use of cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of patients with craniocerebral injuries, brain tumours, intracranial bleeding and vascular malformations. The obtained results are promising for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder as well as sleep disorders, impulsivity and aggressive behaviour. The findings suggest that cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques may be effective in both these groups of patients and their families or caregivers. Currently, due to the small number of randomised controlled trials, high heterogeneity of study groups and a variety of research protocols, these findings do not allow for drawing final conclusions and proposing recommendations. Nevertheless, they demonstrate that the strategy offers promise when treating patients with brain damage. It is suggested that psychotherapy should be initiated after the end of the acute phase of the disease as it requires a certain level of self-awareness and an ability to test hypotheses, so it may be inadequate for patients with profound cognitive impairment. It requires the cooperation of a multidisciplinary team: doctors, physiotherapist, neuropsychologist and psychotherapist who, in addition to therapeutic skills, should have knowledge of the brain–behaviour relationship.

A cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach for working with strong feelings of guilt after traumatic events

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Young ◽  
Zoe J. Chessell ◽  
Amy Chisholm ◽  
Francesca Brady ◽  
Sameena Akbar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
List Type ◽  
Traumatic Memory ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
New Information ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Imagery Techniques

Abstract This article outlines a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach to treating feelings of guilt and aims to be a practical ‘how to’ guide for therapists. The therapeutic techniques were developed in the context of working with clients with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, the ideas can also be used when working with clients who do not meet a diagnosis of PTSD but have experienced trauma or adversity and feel guilty. The techniques in this article are therefore widely applicable: to veterans, refugees, survivors of abuse, the bereaved, and healthcare professionals affected by COVID-19, amongst others. We consider how to assess and formulate feelings of guilt and suggest multiple cognitive and imagery strategies which can be used to reduce feelings of guilt. When working with clients with a diagnosis of PTSD, it is important to establish whether the guilt was first experienced during the traumatic event (peri-traumatically) or after the traumatic event (post-traumatically). If the guilt is peri-traumatic, following cognitive work, this new information may then need to be integrated into the traumatic memory during reliving. Key learning aims (1) To understand why feelings of guilt may arise following experiences of trauma or adversity. (2) To be able to assess and formulate feelings of guilt. (3) To be able to choose an appropriate cognitive technique, based on the reason for the feeling of guilt/responsibility, and work through this with a client. (4) To be able to use imagery techniques to support cognitive interventions with feelings of guilt.

Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Suicide in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Penadés ◽  
Florencia Forte ◽  
Gisela Mezquida ◽  
Alexandre González Rodríguez ◽  
Clemente García-Rizo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Adherence To Medication ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

Background: Suicide is probably one of the worst potential complications for people with schizophrenia. Even though the use of antipsychotic medication is essential in reducing suicidal behaviour, the use of psychological treatments seems to be in the same way necessary. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that is constantly trying to synchronise with the latest recommendations from the research. The goal of the present work is to systematically review the scientific evidence from published studies testing the effectiveness of CBT designed to deal with suicide in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: We searched using multiple terms related to suicide prevention based on CBT in schizophrenia. Two databases (Medline and SCOPUS) were scrutinised for the electronic search and different reference lists from previous reviews were also hand checked. Results: We identified 5 randomised and controlled trials of CBT that included suicide-related cognitions or behaviours as a primary outcome measure. CBT focusing on suicidal cognitions and behaviours was found to be effective in reducing suicidal ideation. As the number of studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria is small and the assessment of outcomes is heterogeneous, we did not perform a meta-analysis and we present results in a narrative way. Conclusion: Research on CBT focused on suicide prevention in patients with schizophrenia is promising but current evidence is notoriously insufficient. Although those therapies seemed to be efficacious in the prevention of suicide, scarcity of randomised clinical trials specifically focusing on suicide is probably the most important issue to be faced. Given the current evidence, clinicians should be familiar with CBT techniques focusing on suicidal cognitions. However, suicide prevention and treatment in those with schizophrenia is complex, and many other factors such as possible earlier use of clozapine, optimizing adherence to medication, and other psychosocial aspects should be addressed. Combination of different strategies appears to be mandatory.

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