Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for PTSD

Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD (BEPP) has been recognized as one evidence-based treatment for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clinicians interested in reducing symptoms and helping patients understand their traumatic experiences often resonate with BEPP as a treatment option. BEPP is a 16-session, manualized treatment specially designed for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. When first developed, BEPP was used and evaluated for treating police officers with PTSD in the Netherlands.

Read more

Associations of depressive rumination and positive affect regulation with emotional distress after the death of a loved one

The death of a loved one may precipitate symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (PGD), post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Brooding about the causes and consequences of one's negative affect (NA), also termed depressive rumination, has been linked to distress after loss. The role of dysregulation of positive affect (PA) has received less attention. We examined (1) the factor structure of depressive rumination and PA dysregulation and (2) to what extent these factors were related to PGD, PTSD and depression symptom levels.

Read more

Traumatic loss and psychosis – reconceptualising the role of trauma in psychosis

Literature suggests that the occurrence of psychological trauma (PT) from various negative life experiences beyond events mentioned in the DSM-criterion A, receives little to no attention when comorbid with psychosis. In fact, despite research indicating the intricate interplay between PT and psychosis, and the need for trauma-focused interventions (TFI), there continue to be mixed views on whether treating PT would worsen psychosis, with many practitioners hesitating to initiate treatment for this reason.

Read more

The effects of PTSD treatment during pregnancy : systematic review and case study

Background: PTSD in pregnant women is associated with adverse outcomes for mothers and their children. It is unknown whether pregnant women with PTSD, or symptoms of PTSD, can receive targeted treatment that is safe and effective.

Objective: The purpose of the present paper was to assess the effectiveness and safety of treatment for (symptoms of) PTSD in pregnant women.

Read more

Sleep disturbance in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) : a systematic review and meta-analysis of actigraphy studies

Background: Sleep disturbance has been described as a ‘hallmark’ symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although there are robust findings of self-reported sleep disturbance in PTSD, evidence of sleep disturbance measured using actigraphy is less certain.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether there are any significant differences between individuals with and without PTSD in actigraphderived sleep measures.

Read more

Diversity Competence : Cultures don’t meet, people do by Edwin Hoffman and Arjan Verdooren. Bussum: Uitgeverij Coutinho. 2018 (352 pages) ISBN: 978-90-4690598-2

Edwin Hoffman and Arjan Verdooren’s book, Diversity Competence, tackles the many confusions operating between people from different cultural and/or ethnic backgrounds. Their book − a comprehensive toolbox examining many aspects of intercultural communication − features a great wealth of examples, some of which are very humorous indeed.

Read more

How can the COVID-19 response advance global mental health?

The COVID-19 pandemic, a defining health event of our time, is bringing rapid changes to mental health care across the globe. Although there is extensive disruption to existing practices, the response to the pandemic is presenting opportunities for advancing the field of global mental health (GMH) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Read more

Psychoeducation for children in a psychiatric ward in the immediate aftermath of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan

On 11 March 2011, Japan was struck by a massive earthquake and tsunami. There were a number of hospitals in the disaster-affected area, including some with psychiatric and children’s wards. Since all utilities were completely cut off for several days, children in the hospital had no access to information about the disaster. Therefore, they lacked a sense of the gravity of the situation and did not show any signs of panic.

Read more

Baby friendly spaces : an intervention for pregnant and lactating women and their infants in Cameroon

In complex humanitarian emergencies, infants and young children are exposed to a higher risk of malnutrition, morbidity, delayed development and mortality. As shown by earlier research, maternal mental health and capacity for nurturing are of fundamental importance in child health and development.

Read more

Psychological first aid through the ‘SIX Cs model’ − an intervention with migrants on the move

Thousands of migrants passed through the Balkans whilst migrating from the Middle East to Europe between 2015 and 2016. Humanitarian actions were conducted throughout this route as agencies and governments provided support. The Camp of Preševo, on the Southern border of Serbia, was established by the local authorities as a registration camp to monitor the migration and deliver aid. Part of this aid was psychosocial.

Read more

Pages