NHMRC guidelines for clinical practice for ASD and PTSD

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Psychology
• Trauma Studies
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after traumatic events, such as diving accidents.
• A case study of a scuba instructor highlights the impact of student death on mental health, leading to ASD.
• Recent Australian clinical practice guidelines for ASD and PTSD offer a framework for managing these conditions.

Discussion:

• Psychological first aid, including psychoeducation and social support, is crucial immediately following a traumatic incident.
• Medical practitioners should monitor patients for improvement or deterioration and facilitate referrals.
• Trauma-focused psychological therapies, specifically Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), are first-line interventions.

Key Insights:

• The treatment of a scuba instructor with ASD, involving EMDR and CBT, is consistent with current Australian clinical practice guidelines.
• Guidelines emphasize psychological first aid and trauma-focused therapies as effective interventions for ASD and PTSD.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the recommended pharmacological treatment if medication is necessary.

Outlook:

• Dissemination of guidelines and information resources online facilitates access for patients and practitioners.
• Further research into the long-term efficacy of EMDR and CBT for trauma-related disorders is warranted.
• Targeted information for specific populations, such as divers, can improve awareness and aid in early intervention.