Culturally adapted CBT (CA-CBT) for traumatised indigenous South Africans (Sepedi) : a randomised pilot trial comparing CA-CBT to applied muscle relaxation

In South Africa, there is a high rate of events such as criminal violence, stress and sexual assault, particularly in lower socio-economic status (SES) communities. Problems are particularly acute amongst indigenous groups. In spite of the great need for interventions for those having experienced these events, little information is available to guide treatment choices.

Read more

Which groups affected by Potentially Traumatic Events (PTEs) are most at risk for a lack of social support? A prospective population-based study on the 12-month prevalence of PTEs and risk factors for a lack of post-event social support

Objectives
Little is known about the 12-month prevalence of potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and to what extent the type of PTE is a risk factor for post-event lack of social support. In addition, it is largely unknown if pre-event mental health problems and loneliness, and demographics are risk factors for a lack of support. Aim of the present prospective study is to fill these gaps in evidence-based knowledge.
 

Read more

The feasibility of prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD in low- and middle-income countries : a review

There is a need in the global south to evaluate and implement empirically supported psychological interventions to ameliorate symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Empirically supported treatments (ESTs) have increasingly been developed and implemented, yet the majority people in the global south do not have access to these treatments for mental disorders such as PTSD. Prolonged exposure therapy has accrued substantial empirical evidence to show it as an effective treatment for PTSD.

Read more

Traumatic loss and psychosis – reconceptualisingthe role of trauma in psychosis

Literature suggests that the occurrence of psychological trauma (PT) fromvariousnegativelifeexperiences beyond events mentioned in the DSM-criterion A, receives little to no attention whencomorbid with psychosis. In fact, despite research indicating the intricate interplay between PTand psychosis, and the need for trauma-focused interventions (TFI), there continue to be mixedviews on whether treating PT would worsen psychosis, with many practitioners hesitating toinitiate treatment for this reason.

Read more

Prolonged grief disorder following the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Highlights

 

• Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) cases will rise following the COVID-19 pandemic

• The pandemic shows similarities to natural disasters which increase PGD prevalence.

• The circumstances of death during the pandemic likely increase PGD prevalence.

• Evidence-based interventions for PGD should be made more accessible.

• Internet-based interventions for PGD should be further developed and disseminated.

 

Read more

Specific traumatic events elevate the risk of a suicide attempt in a 10-year longitudinal community study on adolescents and young adults

Traumatic events (TEs) have been associated with suicide attempts (SAs). However, the empirical status of some TEs is inconclusive. This also concerns community adolescents and young adults, known to be a high-risk group for SAs. We examined associations between (a) a range of prior TEs (physical attack, rape/sexual abuse, serious accident, and witnessing somebody else experiencing a TE) and a subsequent SA, and (b) the number of prior TEs and an SA, and (c) we estimated attributable proportions of SAs, in relation to each TE.

Read more

How Thinking Hurts : Rumination, Worry, and Avoidance Processes in Adjustment to Bereavement

Repetitive negative thought plays an important role in the maintenance of mental health problems following bereavement. To date, researchers have primarily focused on rumination (i.e., repetitive thought about negative events and/or negative emotions) following loss, yet the interest in worry (i.e., repetitive thought about uncertain future events) is increasing. Both cognitive processes potentially lead to poorer adaptation to bereavement by contributing to loss-related avoidance and behavioral avoidance of activities.

 

Read more

A validation study of the International Trauma Questionnaire to assess post-traumatic stress disorder in treatment-seeking veterans

Background
Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) typically report a poorer treatment response than those who have not served in the Armed Forces. A possible explanation is that veterans often present with complex symptoms of PTSD. ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD) have not previously been explored in a military sample.

Read more

Longitudinal epigenome-wide association studies of three male military cohorts reveal multiple CpG sites associated with post-traumatic stress disorder

Background: Epigenetic mechanisms have been suggested to play a role in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, blood-derived DNA methylation data (HumanMethylation450 BeadChip) collected prior to and following combat exposure in three cohorts of male military members were analyzed to assess whether DNA methylation profiles are associated with the development of PTSD. A total of 123 PTSD cases and 143 traumaexposed controls were included in the analyses.

Read more

Comparison of six proposed diagnostic criteria sets for disturbed grief

Increased recognition that grief may turn into a disorder led to the inclusion of Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (PCBD) in DSM-5 and Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) in ICD-11. Four additional criteria sets for disturbed grief have been proposed in recent years: Prigerson et al. proposed criteria for PGD (“PGD-2009″), Maercker et al. presented an ICD-11 beta draft version of PGD (“PGD-BD”), Shear et al. put forth criteria for complicated grief (“CG”), and, recently, criteria for PGD in DSM-5-TR have been proposed.

Read more

Pages