Post-traumatic stress disorder and treatment

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Date
2008
Authors
Sekhon, Rose
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2008
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms have been estimated to affect about 8 to 9% of the world population. Research has shown that PTSD occurs in 25% of persons who have been exposed to a traumatic stressor. It has occurred in 35-92% of those who have experienced rape, 65% of those who have endured a nonsexual assault, and 30% of Vietnam veterans. In 1980, the definition of PTSD was created and counsellors were at a loss of how to treat this disorder. Presently, treatment for this disorder is still being developed. This paper conducts a literature review on therapies for PTSD and available studies of their effectiveness. Most psychotherapies for PTSD focus on the reprocessing of traumatic memory, through cognitive or exposure strategies. These treatments include various cognitive behavioural therapies such as exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), psychoanalytic, as well as multimodal combinations of therapies. Research has shown that some of these interventions have produced favourable results in providing relief of symptoms to victims of PTSD. The current discussion found that therapies such as cognitive and exposure have been successful in decreasing symptoms of PTSD; certain therapies were found to be more successful than others with clients who suffered from specific trauma-inducing events.
Description
vii, 72 leaves ; 28 cm. --
Keywords
Campus Alberta Applied Psychology , Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Patients -- Rehabilitation , Post-traumatic stress -- Treatment , Cognitive therapy
Citation