ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre

English

Unintended Consequences of Changing the Definition of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in DSM-5: Critique and Call for Action

This Special Communication argues against changing the definition of posttraumatic stress disorder in DSM-5.Are changes to the definition of posttraumatic stress disorder in DSM-5 a step forward? -No. The purpose of revising a psychiatric definition is to enhance diagnostic accuracy, clinical utility, and communication. The DSM-5 definition of PTSD provides no improvement in these areas. This

Attachment representation and sensitivity : the moderating role of posttraumatic stress disorder in a refugee sample

It has been hypothesized that adult attachment representations guide caregiving behavior and influence parental sensitivity, and thus affect the child's socio-emotional development. Several studies have shown a link between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and reduced parental sensitivity, so it is possible that PTSD moderates the relationship between insecure attachment representations and insensitivity.

Adding Complexity: Assessing the dissociative subtype of PTSD

Poster session presented at the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS), Vilnius, Lithuania.

The Effect of the Postdisaster Context on the Assessment of Individual Mental Health Scores

Many scholars question the immense variation in rates of mental health outcomes across disaster studies. This study explains this variation by putting forward 2 methodological problems that are inherent to the effect of a disaster context on mental health screening scores. The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 was administered in a flood-affected group (n = 318) and a nonaffected group (n = 304) in Uttar Pradesh, India. The affected group showed much higher mean scores on subscales of anxiety and depression.

Somatization in refugees: a review

Purpose: To present a review of the literature concerning medically unexplained physical symptoms in refugees.
Methods: We outline a variety of definitions and explanations of somatization, as well as the role of culture in the concept of disease. In addition, we present a review of the epidemiological literature about somatization in refugees.

Prevention and public health approaches to trauma and traumatic stress: a rationale and a call to action

Background: The field of trauma and traumatic stress is dominated by studies on treatments for those who experience adversity from traumatic experiences. While this is important, we should not neglect the opportunity to consider trauma in a public health perspective. Such a perspective will help to develop prevention approaches as well as extend the reach of early interventions and treatments.

Trauma treatment across Europe: where do we stand now from a perspective of seven countries

There is a lack of knowledge about the state of affairs of the trauma treatments in Europe. To start to fill in this gap, key persons from seven European countries—Georgia, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, and Turkey—accepted the invitation to give their expert opinion on the state of affairs in their country at an invited panel discussion at the XIV 2015 ESTSS Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy v. stabilisation as usual for refugees: randomised controlled trial

Abstract
Background
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a first-line treatment for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some clinicians argue that with refugees, directly targeting traumatic memories through EMDR may be harmful or ineffective.
Aims
To determine the safety and efficacy of EMDR in adult refugees with PTSD (trial registration: ISRCTN20310201).
Method

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