Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (From Treatment of Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse, P 155-162, 1988, Eliana Gil -- See NCJ-115784)

• NCJ Number: 115785
• Author(s): E Gil
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Launch Press
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

After defining post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) this chapter discusses its prevalence, correlation with child abuse, assessment and treatment, and its use as a diagnostic label for adult survivors of child abuse.

Abstract

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines PTSD as 'the development of characteristic symptoms following a psychologically distressing event that is outside the range of usual human experience.' Although the precise figures on the prevalence of PTSD do not exist, it is associated with a wide range of victimizations in which the reactions include shock, confusion, helplessness, anxiety, fear, and depression. Most clinicians can cite anecdotal evidence of adult child-abuse survivors with PTSD symptoms, and one study found that all but one of 26 clients with PTSD had a history of incest. Therapists who work with adult survivors of child abuse can learn from established strategies for treating PTSD among war veterans. Key principles in the treatment of PTSD are the establishment of a trusting therapeutic relationship, education on the stress recovery process, education in stress management techniques, a re-experiencing of the trauma, and integration of the trauma experience.