Erasing memory traces of trauma with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy

With its open access character, the European Journal of Psychotraumatology aims to promote evidence-based treatments around the world, while at the same time welcoming new forms of treatment without losing its critical scientific eye. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is by now a well-established treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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Probing Psychological and Biological Responses to Stress

European Journal of Psychotraumatology Editor-in-Chief Miranda Olff talks PTSD, her role as the newly-appointed president of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies and “her most compelling project to date.”
Just a few years ago, little, if anything, was known of trauma’s link to the incredibly complicated and subtle hormone oxytocin.

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The impact of cultural differences in self-representation on the neural substrates of posttraumatic stress disorder

A significant body of literature documents the neural mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there is very little empirical work considering the influence of culture on these underlying mechanisms.

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Dissociative symptoms are associated with reduced neuropsychological performance in patients with recurrent depression and a history of trauma exposure

Background: Although preliminary work suggests that dissociative symptoms may impact neuropsychological performance in trauma-exposed populations, the relation between dissociation and cognitive performance has not been explored in patients with depression.
Objective: The present study examined dissociative symptoms in relation to neuropsychological performance in participants with a primary diagnosis of recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) and a history of trauma exposure.

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The relationship between posttraumatic stress symptoms and narrative structure among adolescent terrorist-attack survivors

Background: The structure of trauma narratives is considered to be related to posttraumatic stress symptomatology and thus the capacity to make a coherent narrative after stressful events is crucial for mental health.

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Prevalence and predictors of Axis I disorders in a large sample of treatment-seeking victims of sexual abuse and incest

Background: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a common occurrence and a robust, yet non-specific, predictor of adult psychopathology. While many demographic and abuse factors have been shown to impact this relationship, their common and specific effects remain poorly understood.
Objective: This study sought to assess the prevalence of Axis I disorders in a large sample of help-seeking victims of sexual trauma, and to examine the common and specific effects of demographic and abuse characteristics across these different diagnoses.

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Psychometric properties of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 : a pilot study

Background: To date there is a lack of studies assessing the psychometric properties of the recently revised PTSD Checklist (PCL), the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). The aim of this pilot study was to examine the psychometric properties of the PCL-5 in parents of children with burns.

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The Effects of Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy added to Treatment as Usual on suicidal ideation in chronic depression : Results of a randomized-clinical trial

Background
Suicidal ideation (SI) is common in chronic depression, but only limited evidence exists for the assumption that psychological treatments for depression are effective for reducing SI.

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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

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Investigating biological traces of traumatic stress in changing societies: challenges and directions from the ESTSS Task Force on Neurobiology

Traumatic stress can have severe consequences for both mental and physical health. Furthermore, both psychological and biological traces of trauma increase as a function of accumulating traumatic experiences. Neurobiological research may aid in limiting the impact of traumatic stress, by leading to advances in preventive and treatment interventions.

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