Post Traumatic Stress Theory

Few phenomena are as widely experienced across different individuals, cultures, and contexts as that of traumatic stress. Whether as victims, perpetrators, supporters or simply observers, most people can identify to some extent with the psychological and physical consequences produced by traumatic events. This text examines the nature of traumatic stress, the contexts in which it occurs, and the needs and coping strategies of its survivors. Topics include the survivors of rape, soldiers of war, and the nature of coping with loss or trauma in old age. Furthermore, the roles of culture, social support, and more formal organizations in the ongoing process of overcoming trauma are explored as the text details the nature of traumatic experiences, the needs of survivors, and the challenges faced by those who wish to support and help those survivors.

Few phenomena are as widely experienced across different individuals, cultures, and contexts as that of traumatic stress. Whether as victims, perpetrators, supporters or simply observers, most people can identify to some extent with the psychological and physical consequences produced by traumatic events. This text examines the nature of traumatic stress, the contexts in which it occurs, and the needs and coping strategies of its survivors. Topics include the survivors of rape, soldiers of war, and the nature of coping with loss or trauma in old age. Furthermore, the roles of culture, social support, and more formal organizations in the ongoing process of overcoming trauma are explored as the text details the nature of traumatic experiences, the needs of survivors, and the challenges faced by those who wish to support and help those survivors.

PTSD is in no way an easy diagnosis for the patient, the provider, or the therapist. It is a diagnosis developed at the border of our capacity to handle extreme stress, a marker diagnosis denoting the limits of our capacity for functioning in the stress of this modern world. For both individuals and society, PTSD marks the limits of our available compassion and our capacity to protect ourselves from the dangers of the environment and other humans. PTSD is often a chronic disease, forming at a place where mind sometimes no longer equals the brain, a point at which individual patient requirements often trump theory and belief. There are treatments for PTSD that work, and many that do not. This book presents evidence, rather than theory, anecdote, or case report. Psychological approaches including prolonged exposure, imagery rehearsal therapy and EMDR have a greater than 75% positive short-term response when used to treat PTSD. Yet these treatments vary markedly and have different, even contradictory underlying theory and objectives for treatment. Medications, rarely indicated as primary therapy, can be used to treat symptoms and address comorbid PTSD diagnoses. Treatment of sleep apnea in the PTSD population produces a positive effect on symptoms and a reduction in morbidity and mortality across the span of life. Complementary treatments offer the many individuals chronically affected by PTSD assistance in coping with symptoms and opportunities to attempt to functionally integrate their experience of trauma.

Posttraumatic Growth reworks and overhauls the seminal 2006 Handbook of Posttraumatic Growth. It provides a wide range of answers to questions concerning knowledge of posttraumatic growth (PTG) theory, its synthesis and contrast with other theories and models, and its applications in diverse settings. The book starts with an overview of the history, components, and outcomes of PTG. Next, chapters review quantitative, qualitative, and cross-cultural research on PTG, including in relation to cognitive function, identity formation, cross-national and gender differences, and similarities and differences between adults and children. The final section shows readers how to facilitate optimal outcomes with PTG at the level of the individual, the group, the community, and society.

After reviewing the relevant treatment literature, the authors detail how to assess and treat PTSD using a cognitive-behavioral approach. Co mplete instructions are given for planning treatment, as well as for i ntroducing the patient to the various interventions. Nine exposure and stress management techniques are then detailed, including imaginal ex posure (trauma reliving), in vivo exposure, relaxation training, thoug ht-stopping, cognitive restructuring, covert modeling, and role-playin g. Enhancing the books clinical utility are numerous case examples il lustrating how to implement the techniques, as well as explanations of how to cope with common problems and complications in treatment. The final chapter presents detailed outlines of three suggested treatment programs.

Post-traumatic stress and its associated disorders, including Post-traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after exposure to one or more terrifying events. It is a severe and ongoing emotional reaction to an extreme psychological trauma, such as a death or a threat to life, serious physical injury, or threat to physical and/or psychological integrity. The book begins with a description of PTSD and other related problems often experienced by survivors, and a short history of developments in the field. Information on assessment, theory, research findings, and treatment procedures are provided. Further chapters reflect new theoretical thinking and directions in the field of trauma. It discusses the types of support that should be provided at an early stage for people and families affected by a sudden traumatic bereavement (e.g., homicide), and presents this information in a practical and accessible way. Though mainly intended for sufferers of post-traumatic stress, and their families and friends, it will also be of interest to the general reader. The book will also be an invaluable resource for professionals, particularly those who want to know about the psychological impact and management of trauma in a variety of contexts, such as general practitioners, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses and those in the voluntary sector.

"In the second edition of this handbook, experts on traumatic stress have contributed chapters on topics spanning classification, epidemiology and special populations, theory, assessment, prevention/early intervention, treatment, and dissemination and treatment. This expanded, updated volume contains 39 chapters which provide research updates, along with highlighting areas that need continued clarification through additional research. The handbook provides a valuable resource for clinicians and investigators with interest in traumatic stress disorders"--