Medical College of Wisconsin
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Residual symptoms following empirically supported treatment for PTSD. Psychol Trauma 2019 Feb;11(2):207-215

Date

07/03/2018

Pubmed ID

29963892

DOI

10.1037/tra0000384

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85049251201 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   124 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Although there are several evidence-based treatments that are effective in mitigating the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), rates of nonresponse to treatment as well as treatment dropout remain high. In order to determine which symptoms remain most problematic at the end of treatment for PTSD, the present study examined residual symptoms in a treatment study that evaluated the effects of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure (PE).

METHOD: The sample consisted of 108 female rape survivors who initially met criteria for PTSD and who were then randomized into and completed either CPT or PE. The sample was 71% White and 25% African American, with an average age of 32 years (SD = 9.98 years).

RESULTS: Symptoms of PTSD, depression, guilt, and social adjustment were evaluated in the sample of treatment completers, and findings suggest that overall symptoms improved over the course of treatment. Results further suggested that distress related to trauma reminders, detachment, and insomnia were the most common residual PTSD symptoms at posttreatment, while self-blame, concerns about body image, and fatigue were the most common residual symptoms of depression. The most common residual symptom of guilt was lack of justification for actions that had to be taken during the index event.

CONCLUSIONS: This pattern of findings is in line with past research suggesting that evidence-based practices are effective in the treatment of PTSD, but underscores the need to continue to evaluate residual symptoms to best assist clients in achieving full recovery. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Author List

Larsen SE, Fleming CJE, Resick PA

Author

Sadie E. Larsen PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Body Image
Depression
Evidence-Based Practice
Fatigue
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Guilt
Humans
Implosive Therapy
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Rape
Social Adjustment
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Survivors
Treatment Outcome