Posttraumatic Therapy, Essay Example

The article argues that posttraumatic stress disorder has a high prevalence in the population and there is not a sufficient number of therapists and related healthcare professionals available to treat this substantial patient population. The author studied a variety of works with the intention of determining resources that professionals concerned with traumatic stress reactions can utilize. It is a shared belief that individuals with posttraumatic stress should be treated using psychological therapy, but the specific methods favored by a variety of professionals differ.

The several techniques that are considered to be useful in delivering this type of therapy include an educational process to inform patients about the stress response, utilizing holistic health methods, looking towards family and friends for social support, and using clinical techniques to diminish stress triggers. Despite the individual technique that is used to treat a patient, it is important to emphasize to them that their symptoms are not unique and that there are many people dealing with similar experiences. This will allow them to feel less alienated, and it is more likely that they will be able to cope with their disorder as a consequence of this new understanding.

The remainder of the article discusses in detail a variety of ways that patients with posttraumatic stress disorder can be treated. Ultimately, this is dependent upon each individual case and some patients are expected to improve using certain methods rather than others. One of the most beneficial treatment methods is group therapy, in which individuals with PTSD are able to communicate with one another and share their stories. Treatment will be bolstered by the understanding that they are not alone, and techniques that some individuals in this group use to feel better may be relevant and useful for other group members. However, it is also important to consider that PTSD is not one large disease and there are many potential subtypes. Therefore, more research should be done to identify what these specific subtypes are and how this knowledge can be used to personalize and improve treatment.

References

Ochberg FM. (1991). Posttraumatic Therapy. Psychotherapy, 28(1): 773-783.