Understanding the refugee-traumatised persons

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-23
Author(s):  
Bent Rosenbaum ◽  
Vladimir Jovic ◽  
Sverre Varvin
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Posttraumatic Reactions

The current situation of refugees demands a redefinition of our understanding of the concept of psychological trauma. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cannot be used to account for the variety of posttraumatic reactions. This paper presents an alternative approach illustrating how theories on traumatisation and its treatment may take into account salient dimensions of man’s semiotic relations to others: body-emotional relations to the environment, relations to the groups/family, and relations to the socio-politico-cultural context. Each of these dimensions have an unconscious base, influencing the person’s capacity for repairing the trauma-processes.

scholarly journals Acceptability of a Plasticity-Focused Serious Game Intervention for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: User Requirements Analysis (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Jones ◽  
Alena Denisova ◽  
Stephen Mitchell ◽  
Tom Owen
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Requirements Analysis ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Service Users

BACKGROUND Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is a first-line treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite a solid evidence base, TF-CBT response and attrition rates vary considerably. Plasticity-focused interventions, including the use of serious games, have the potential to improve TF-CBT response and treatment retention. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability of a mobile phone–delivered plasticity-focused serious game to improve response to TF-CBT for PTSD, and carry out a user requirements analysis should the development of a prototype be warranted. METHODS We conducted 2 one-to-one interviews (n=2), one focus group involving service users who had received a diagnosis of PTSD (n=3) and one focus group involving psychological trauma service clinicians (n=4). RESULTS We found that the concept of a plasticity-focused mobile phone intervention for PTSD is acceptable to patients and clinicians. Service users and clinicians both believed that the usage should be guided by a therapist, and both contributed useful inputs regarding the audiovisual aspects of the proposed serious game. It was accepted that the game would not be suitable for all patients and that clinicians would need to appropriately prescribe the usage of the game. CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the acceptability of the proposed serious game and clarify the user requirements for such an intervention. It is the intention of the authors to carry out a user experience evaluation using a prototype serious game in a clinical population.

scholarly journals Update on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder

2000 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Therapeutic Effects

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a maladaptive, pathological response to a traumatic event which is currently underdiagnosed and undertreated. This results in part from a lack of awareness regarding the prevalence of the disorder. It has been estimated that at least one third of the general population will be exposed to severe trauma throughout their lifetime, out of which approximately 10 % to 20 % develop PTSD. A prevalence of 3 % to 6 % of PTSD in the general population, found in several studies, corresponds well with these figures. Both the type of trauma and the personal characteristics of the individual involved are associated with the probability of developing PTSD. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed (DSM-IV) gives four diagnostic criteria: (i) exposure and emotional response to a traumatic event; (ii) reexperiencing; (iii) avoidance; and (iv) increased physiological arousal, along with severe impairment in occupational, social, and interpersonal functioning. The rate of comorbidity with other mental disorders is high, particularly for major depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. Different types of psychological intervention, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and a host of pharmacological interventions, have been tried. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are currently the most widely researched agents with consistent, though modest, therapeutic effects. Other compounds, such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) have also been found to be effective, although their use is limited due to side effects. PTSD is a psychobiological phenomenon in response to psychological trauma, which represents maladaptive neurobiological deregulation and psychological dysfunction, and awaits further recognition and research.

Neuropsychology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 273-290
Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Vasterling ◽  
Gabriel S. Walt
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Neuropsychological Tasks ◽  
Relationship Of

Exposure to psychological trauma is sometimes followed by significant emotional and behavioral changes that constitute post-traumatic stress reactions, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Neurocognitive decrements constitute one of the core features of PTSD, and a growing literature has identified specific patterns of neurocognitive compromise and related neurobiological features. This chapter provides an overview of neurocognitive features of PTSD, including performance on both standardized, emotionally neutral neuropsychological tasks and information processing abnormalities in the context of emotionally relevant stimuli. Direction of causality is also discussed, namely whether neurocognitive integrity is a moderator of psychological outcomes following trauma exposure and/or whether neurocognition is adversely affected by PTSD development. The chapter also includes a review of associated biological features potentially underlying expressed neurocognitive features, including neuroimaging findings, neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine characteristics, and genetic and epigenetic factors. In addition, it provides a brief overview of some of the major theoretical frameworks relevant to cognitive processes as a mechanism for PTSD development and maintenance. Finally, the chapter addresses the relationship of neurocognitive functioning to treatment, both as a predictor of treatment response and as an outcome of treatment.

Interventions for the Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults After Exposure to Psychological Trauma

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Gartlehner ◽  
Catherine A. Forneris ◽  
Kimberly A. Brownley ◽  
Bradley N. Gaynes ◽  
Jeffrey Sonis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Trauma

scholarly journals The Experience of Overcoming of Trauma Caused by Getting Acquainted with Archival Investigative Case of Repressed Relative

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-180
Author(s):  
N.A. Shemanova
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Historical Events ◽  
Adaptive Mechanisms ◽  
The Difference

The article describes a case when exploring archival investigation file of the repressed and executed relative is accompanied by the emergence of delayed posttraumatic stress disorder. Feelings that emerged during contact with the investigation file: fear, resentment and confusion, shame, the desire to keep a secret are disscussed. The difference between experiences of relatives of the Gulag victims and relatives of victims of other historical events or disasters is examined. The article considers protective and adaptive mechanisms that help to overcome psychological trauma.

scholarly journals VEIKSMINGI PSICHOLOGINĖS PAGALBOS BŪDAI PSICHOTRAUMATOLOGIJOJE

Psichologija ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 102-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Kazlauskas
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Psychosocial Treatment ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Psychological Treatments ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments

Straipsnyje analizuojamas psichologinės pagalbos būdų suaugusiems asmenims psichotraumatolo­gijoje veiksmingumas. Įsigilinus į 1998–2012 m. paskelbtas metaanalizes, sistemines apžvalgas, geros praktikos vadovus, daromos išvados, kad daugelis tyrimų patvirtina trumpalaikės į traumą orientuotos kognityviosios elgesio terapijos bei nujautrinimo akių judesiais ir perdirbimo (EMDR) terapijos veiksmin­gumą potrauminio streso sutrikimų turintiems asmenims. Tyrimų rezultatai rodo, kad asmenims iš kar­to po trauminio įvykio nerekomenduojama taikyti formalias psichosocialinės intervencijos procedūras, kaip antai psichologinis susirinkimas (angl. debriefing). Yra mokslinių įrodymų, kad trumpalaikė eklekti­nė terapija (BEPP), internetu teikiamos pagalbos ar virtualios realybės taikymo metodai gali veiksmingai padėti asmenims, kurie turi potrauminio streso sutrikimą. Straipsnyje aptariamos tyrimais paremtų psi­chologinės pagalbos metodų diegimo psichotraumatologijos praktikoje problemos. Pagrindiniai žodžiai: psichologinė trauma, potrauminio streso sutrikimas, pagalbos veiksmingumas.   EFFECTIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENTS IN PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGYEvaldas Kazlauskas SummaryThe present article gives an overview of the psycho­logical treatments of psychological trauma. The article is oriented towards practitioners who want to update their knowledge of the recent developments in psychotraumatology. The research findings, based on meta-analyses and good practice guidelines, are presented and the issues related to the implementation of evidence-based treatments are discussed.The study has shown that the critical stress incident debriefing developed by J. T. Mitchell in 1983 (or psychological debriefing) is not recommended imme­diately after trauma. Metaanalysis (Rose et al., 2003; van Emmeric et al., 2002) revealed no positive long-term effects of debriefing immediately after trauma, with indications of negative outcomes in some studies. Practical guidelines of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, as well as other guidelines do not recommend debriefing as a regular procedure for all survivors. Practical, social or legal assistance provided in an empathic way is recommended during the first month after the trauma. Meta-analytical studies published since 1998 concerning the effectiveness of posttraumatic stress disorder treatments demonstrated the efficacy of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapies (TF-CBT) and eye movement reprocessing and desen­sitization therapy (EMDR). Evidence from studies on the effects of a brief eclectic psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (BEPP), developed by B. Gersons, internet-based treatments, and virtual reality are promising, and these treatments in the future are possible effective alternatives for TF-CBT and EMDR in evidence-based practice. Psychological treatments should be the first option for the treatment of PTSD, with medication used only when the appro­priate psychological treatments are unavailable or the client prefers medication over psychosocial treatment. While a number of RCT studies have shown the efficacy of TF-CBT and EMDR treatment for PTSD, there is still a gap between research and everyday clinical practice. From the practitioner’s point of view, transfer of manual-based methods from RCT efficacy studies to daily practice is not easy. Clinicians are facing complicated cases, and comorbid disorders are widely prevalent with PTSD. We must also be aware that with the new treatments developed, training of these methods and particularly the availability of sys­tematic supervisions are not always easily accessible; this slows down the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatments. Clinicians have to take their own responsibility for selecting what is best for a particular client; however, practitioners also need to make decisions based on what science shows to be the most effective treatment.Key words: psychological trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, effectiveness of treatment.   o:OfficeDocumentSettings> Veiksmingi psichologinės pagalbos būdai psichotraumatologijoje 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document