Posttraumatic stress disorder: conceptualization and treatment
1Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, USA.
Progress in Behavior Modification
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an established anxiety disorder. Exposure therapy shows promise for PTSD treatment, though managing psychophysiological arousal remains a challenge.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Extreme psychological trauma can lead to severe psychiatric disorders.
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was officially classified as an anxiety disorder in 1980.
- PTSD presents unique complexities beyond other anxiety disorders, particularly in chronic or combat-related forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the established understanding of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- To evaluate the efficacy of current treatments for PTSD.
- To identify challenges and future research directions in PTSD treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of controlled treatment outcome studies.
- Analysis of existing theoretical and conceptual formulations.
- Identification of key research issues in PTSD etiology and treatment.
Main Results:
- Exposure therapy appears to be the most effective treatment for PTSD.
- No single treatment has successfully reduced all PTSD symptoms, especially psychophysiological overarousal.
- Understanding the interplay of predisposing, stressor-related, and interacting variables is crucial.
Conclusions:
- While exposure therapy is effective for many PTSD symptoms, managing psychophysiological arousal requires further research.
- Further investigation into predisposing factors, stressor intensity, and biopsychosocial-cultural interactions is needed.
- Developing effective treatments for chronic and combat-related PTSD remains an ongoing challenge.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
01:29Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder
The development of psychological disorders, which are characterized by deviant, maladaptive, and personally distressing behaviors, has been explored through several theoretical approaches.
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
01:24Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Treatment approaches for psychological disorders fall into three main categories: psychological, biological, and sociocultural. Each approach targets different aspects of mental health, requiring varying levels of education and training.
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
01:25Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...