This treatment manual provides mental health professionals with instructions for conducting written exposure therapy, a brief and accessible trauma intervention that is effective at reducing PTSD symptoms.

Trauma, stress, and manmade and natural disasters are increasingly impacting individuals and communities. The clinical and scientific advances presented here strive to address the rapidly expanding individual and community burden of disease resulting from the experience of traumatic or stressful events. The authors describe the suffering which trauma- and stressor-related disorders (TSRDs) cause, and explain in 30 concise chapters the state of the science for the DSM-5 trauma- and stressor-related disorders with regard to pathogenesis, diagnostic assessment and approach to treatment. This volume presents the genetic, neurochemical, developmental, and psychological foundations and epidemiology of the trauma- and stressor-related disorders, in addition to specific guidance on screening and evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and biological, psychological and social treatments. The chapters in this book cover a variety of TSRDs: posttraumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, adjustment disorders, persistent complex bereavement disorder, and reactive attachment and disinhibited social engagement disordersd. Graphics, including neuroimaging are integrated for easy reference and to aid grasping of key concepts. The book draws on the current literature and provides brief case scenarios from individuals and families exposed to psychological or physical traumas, including mass trauma events. Factors contributing to susceptibility to these disorders and to resilience are also addressed. Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders provides an in-depth yet succinct introduction to current clinical and research knowledge for trainees and for professionals including psychotherapeutic, psychopharmacological, public health, and policy interventions. It addresses the level of evidence for different best practices to target the disabling cognitive, emotional or behavioral symptoms for a specific patient or population.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant source of death and permanent disability, contributing to nearly one-third of all injury related deaths in the United States and exacting a profound personal and economic toll. Despite the increased resources that have recently been brought to bear to improve our understanding of TBI, the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches has been disappointingly slow. Translational Research in Traumatic Brain Injury attempts to integrate expertise from across specialties to address knowledge gaps in the field of TBI. Its chapters cover a wide scope of TBI research in five broad areas: Epidemiology Pathophysiology Diagnosis Current treatment strategies and sequelae Future therapies Specific topics discussed include the societal impact of TBI in both the civilian and military populations, neurobiology and molecular mechanisms of axonal and neuronal injury, biomarkers of traumatic brain injury and their relationship to pathology, neuroplasticity after TBI, neuroprotective and neurorestorative therapy, advanced neuroimaging of mild TBI, neurocognitive and psychiatric symptoms following mild TBI, sports-related TBI, epilepsy and PTSD following TBI, and more. The book integrates the perspectives of experts across disciplines to assist in the translation of new ideas to clinical practice and ultimately to improve the care of the brain injured patient.

Mental disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), constitute an important health care need of veterans, especially those recently separated from service. Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Assessment of the Evidence takes a systematic look the efficacy of pharmacologic and psychological treatment modalities for PTSD on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs. By reviewing existing studies in order to draw conclusions about the strength of evidence on several types of treatment, the Committee on the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder found that many of these studies were faulty in design and performance, and that relatively few of these studies have been conducted in populations of veterans, despite suggestions that civilian and veteran populations respond differently to various types of treatment. The committee also notes that the evidence is scarce on the acceptability, efficacy, or generalizability of treatment in ethnic and cultural minorities, as few studies stratified results by ethnic background. Despite challenges in the consistency, quality, and depth of research, the committee found the evidence sufficient to conclude the efficacy of exposure therapies in treating PTSD. The committee found the evidence inadequate to determine efficacy of different types of pharmacotherapies, of three different psychotherapy modalities, and of psychotherapy delivered in group formats. The committee also made eight critical recommendations, some in response to the VA's questions related to recovery and the length and timing of PTSD treatment, and others addressing research methodology, gaps in evidence and funding issues.

PTSD is in no way an easy diagnosis for the patient, the provider, or the therapist. It is a diagnosis developed at the border of our capacity to handle extreme stress, a marker diagnosis denoting the limits of our capacity for functioning in the stress of this modern world. For both individuals and society, PTSD marks the limits of our available compassion and our capacity to protect ourselves from the dangers of the environment and other humans. PTSD is often a chronic disease, forming at a place where mind sometimes no longer equals the brain, a point at which individual patient requirements often trump theory and belief. There are treatments for PTSD that work, and many that do not. This book presents evidence, rather than theory, anecdote, or case report. Psychological approaches including prolonged exposure, imagery rehearsal therapy and EMDR have a greater than 75% positive short-term response when used to treat PTSD. Yet these treatments vary markedly and have different, even contradictory underlying theory and objectives for treatment. Medications, rarely indicated as primary therapy, can be used to treat symptoms and address comorbid PTSD diagnoses. Treatment of sleep apnea in the PTSD population produces a positive effect on symptoms and a reduction in morbidity and mortality across the span of life. Complementary treatments offer the many individuals chronically affected by PTSD assistance in coping with symptoms and opportunities to attempt to functionally integrate their experience of trauma.