Correcting Misconceptions About the Diagnostic Criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in DSM-5

This Special Communication argues for 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?—Yes.

We take strong exception to many of the assertions, conclusions, and recommendations in the article by Hoge et al1 in this issue of JAMA Psychiatry. Although Hoge et al1 identify a number of reasons they do not support the DSM-52 workgroup’s revisions to the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we believe that their basic arguments are that

The risk of PTSD and depression after an airplane crash and its potential association with physical injury: A longitudinal study

In 2009, a commercial airplane crashed near Amsterdam. This longitudinal study aims to investigate (1)
the proportion of survivors of the airplane crash showing a probable posttraumatic stress disorders
(PTSD) or depressive disorder, and (2) whether symptoms of PTSD and depression were predicted by
trauma characteristics. Identifying these trauma characteristics is crucial for early detection and
treatment. Of the 121 adult survivors, 82 participated in this study 2 months after the crash and

Animal-Assisted Intervention for trauma : a systematic literature review

Animals have a long history of inclusion in psychiatric treatment. There has been a recent growth in the empirical study of this practice, known as Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI). We conducted a systematic review of the empirical literature on AAI for trauma, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Ten studies qualified for inclusion, including six peer-reviewed journal articles and four unpublished theses. Participants were predominantly survivors of child abuse, in addition to military veterans. The presentation of AAI was highly variable across the studies.

Trauma Dynamics : Mapping the Autonomic Nervous System

A 35 minute training excerpt describing how the body responds to threats thereby creating many of the symptoms (anxiety, depression, bi-polar patterns, addiction) for which people enter psychotherapy. This is a very useful tool for therapists and clients alike

Trauma-Focused Therapy for Refugees : Meta-Analytic Findings

High levels of trauma-related psychological distress have been documented among ethnically diverse refugees. As the number of refugees worldwide continues to grow, determining the efficacy of established methods of trauma-focused therapy for this population is crucial.

Religious and spiritual interventions in mental health care : a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

Background. Despite the extensive literature assessing associations between religiosity/spirituality and health, few studies have investigated the clinical applicability of this evidence. The purpose of this paper was to assess the impact of religious/spiritual interventions (RSI) through randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Difficult to treat? : A comparison of the effectiveness of treatment as usual in refugees and non-refugees

Aims and method To examine treatment response in traumatised refugees, we compared routine outcome monitoring data (Harvard Trauma Questionnaire) of two refugee populations with those of individuals experiencing profession-related trauma who were treated at a specialised psychotrauma institute.

Internet-based exposure and behavioral activation for complicated grief and rumination: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract: This study examined the effectiveness and feasibility of therapist-guided Internet-delivered exposure (EX) and behavioral activation (BA) for complicated grief and rumination. Forty-seven bereaved individuals with elevated levels of complicated grief and grief rumination were randomly assigned to three conditions: EX (N = 18), BA (N = 17), or a waiting-list (N = 12). Treatment groups received 6 homework assignments over 6 to 8 weeks.

Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD

Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD (BEPP), developed during the 1980s and 1990s of the last century, has proven to be as effective as other trauma-focused treatments (Gersons et al. 2000; Lindauer et al. 2005; Bradley et al. 2005; NICE 2005; Bisson et al. 2013; Schnyder et al. 2011). What makes BEPP special is that it is a comprehensive treatment especially developed for PTSD in which effective elements from different psychotherapy schools have been integrated into a logical sequence.

Longitudinal assessment of gender differences in the development of PTSD among US military personnel deployed in support of the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan

Divergent findings from previous research examining gender differences in the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among US military members deployed to the operations in Iraq or Afghanistan (recent operations) prompted this study utilizing a matching approach to examine whether risk for new-onset PTSD and PTSD severity scores differed by gender. US military members from the Millennium Cohort Study deployed in support of the recent operations were followed for approximately 7 years from baseline through 2 follow-up periods between 2001 and 2008.

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