2023-08-29 09:15:00
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after a traumatic event.
They are characterized by intense unpleasant and dysfunctional reactions. “A life-threatening or serious injury event can cause lasting and intense suffering. The affected person may relive the event, have nightmares, and avoid anything that reminds them of the event,” says the MSD Manual.
The causes of these disorders can be multiple. For example, it may be a threat of imminent death, bodily harm (as a victim or witness), or even the announcement of a violent or unexpected death or a serious event affecting a loved one. Many other factors may be involved.
Post-traumatic stress: a necessary diagnosis to support the suffering
A diagnosis to confirm a PTSD can be made when the person is the victim of several manifestations responsible for “significant suffering and an alteration of social functioning and quality of life” as specified by Inserm.
These different manifestations can be:
- The revival of events in different forms (flash backs, images relating to the event, rehearsal nightmares, etc.).
- An avoidance of thoughtsdiscussions or people related to the trauma.
- Mood disorders and impaired responsiveness, affect, and interest in usual activities.
- The development of signs of autonomic activity : hypervigilance, irritability, difficulty concentrating, sleep disorders, etc.
Post-traumatic stress: multidisciplinary care
Post-traumatic stress can be treated through different means: cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR, hypnosis and/or medication.
However, research continues to progress. A team of American researchers have revealed that written exposure therapy could show promise in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
A cohort of 178 veterans victims of post-traumatic stress
To reach these conclusions, the researchers established a cohort of 178 veterans with post-traumatic stress.
The participants were then divided into two groups.
Group 1 was exposed to writing sessions during which they were asked to write about a specific trauma emphasizing the details of the event and the feelings and thoughts that occurred during the event. After 30 minutes of writing, the therapist and the patient were able to briefly discuss the experience.
Group 2 received prolonged exposure therapy. These were sessions focused on the most distressing traumatic memory. Participants were asked to perform in vivo exposures to people, places and situations that they avoided, related to the trauma.
Post-traumatic stress: written exposure therapy can be effective
Result: both groups reported feeling beneficial effects of the therapies they received. “The largest difference between treatments was seen at 10 weeks and was in favor of written exposure therapy,” the researchers said.
It should be noted that 35.6% of participants in the prolonged exposure therapy group stopped treatment before the end compared to 12.5% of people in the group who received written exposure therapy.
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