Treatments for PTSD
Treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients has varied from one context to the other depending on the nature of the disorder. However, over the years, an increased number of research studies have been conducted to establish the best treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder patients. A number of findings have been made public as further research takes place. This study will critically evaluate three articles whilst comparing group treatment and CBT in the tackling of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This evaluation is valuable considering the increased number of victims of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the society today.
Sloan, Bovin, and Schnurr (2012) support the idea of using group treatment for PTSD as the best option given to patients. In the article, they advance the value of treating patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder as a group. The article gives an overview picture of the benefits accompanied to group treatment of the posttraumatic stress disorder patients. In this overview, they advance that patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder often are faced by psychological and social challenges, which can be addressed by developing a warm environment for these patients. The need to develop a warm environment to facilitate healing is an essential aspect towards the healing process (Sloan, Bovin & Schnurr, 2012).
Sloan, Bovin, and Schnurr (2012) showed in their article that the healing process among patients with PSTD depends on the environment they create. In this regard, the patients should be factored in the healing process. They advance that group treatment is an effective way by which the healing process can be sustained. They further advance group treatment of patients with this disorder to create a favorable atmosphere that addresses the social and psychological needs of these patients. They base their arguments on the previous empirical research findings, which have indicated that PTSD patients face serious social and psychological problems. These problems are advanced to limit the effectiveness of the treatment and healing process.
Sloan, Bovin, and Schnurr (2012) further advance on various elements, which should be captured in the group treatment of patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The first element, which is advanced relates to promotion of psycho-education among the groups of patients suffering with this disorder. They argue that it is vital to group patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder and be given psycho-education. They advance that this education will play a significant role in changing perceptions of the patients about the situations they underwent. In this case, psycho-education will be crucial in promoting attitude change, thus facilitating the healing process (Sloan, Bovin & Schnurr, 2012).
Finally, the article advances on the need for other supportive counseling services for these patients, as a way of promoting healing. In this regard, the PTSD patients faced with similar crisis may be grouped and given supportive counseling. The counseling may involve giving advice and motivation to the patients whilst relating to previous situations they might have undergone. They should also be involved in supportive counseling activities, such as being involved in games and events, to reduce their stress levels.
Mulick, Landes, and Kanter (2012) propose the cognitive-behavioral treatment of treating patients suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This treatment is argued to be effective among the patients suffering from this disorder, because it treats both the social and mental difficulties experienced by these patients. However, they agree with Sloan, Bovin, and Schnurr (2012) that treatment should be offered contextually. They argue that therapies should not just be administered to the patients universally, but also given to certain patients depending on the context and situations of the patient with this disorder (Mulick, Landes, & Kanter, 2012).
The article further advances Cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment as the most frequent treatment method used to treat PTSD patients. This therapy is effective because it addresses the mental and the behavioral functions of the patients, which would have been affected by the disorder. The authors...
A number of patients suffering from PTSD have had challenges in complying with the treatment. This treatment demands a high level of compliance to treatment by the patients, which makes it difficult for patients who cannot comply. The other core challenge is the high dropout rates of the patients undergoing this treatment. The cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment often involves modules of therapy, which takes time. A number of patients with this disorder often drop out before the treatment is complete. In addition, this treatment is faced by the challenge of the aversive nature of the procedures, which makes it not friendly to the patients (Mulick, Landes, & Kanter, 2012).
The article titled "Hope in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder" by Gilman, Schumm and Chard (2012) discusses about the cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment for PTSD patients. The authors advance this treatment as the best treatment for patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. In this regard, cognitive-behavioral therapy is argued to be associated with the positive psychotherapy outcomes. Gilman, Schumm, and Chard (2012) have shown that the cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective because it views the patients as a whole. Most of patients suffering from this disorder suffer physically, socially, and mentally. This treatment has a positive effect on the patient's well-being not only in the physical, but also in shaping the patients mindset and social stability. The patients who may have experienced high stress levels and are stigmatizing situations are well suited for this treatment (Gilman, Schumm & Chard, 2012).
The authors further advance that the focus of the treatment is not only on the need to facilitate healing, but the need to make the patient complete again. This is by developing both the cognitive capabilities and the behavioral aspect of the patient. Life revolves around the cognitions that people form, as well as, the actions they undertake through their behaviors. This implies that both the cognitive aspects of an individual and the behavioral aspects are critical areas that treatment should address. The article appraises the cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment as effective in addressing these key areas (Gilman, Schumm & Chard, 2012).
The article advances that the effectiveness in treatment of patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder demands a thorough consideration of the fundamentals that build up positive psychotherapy outcomes. They appraise cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment as effective means by which patients with, posttraumatic stress disorder can be treated. This is because this treatment is based on the need to bring about positive psychotherapy outcomes. Previous empirical research studies conducted on cognitive-behavioral therapy has proved that it has positive psychotherapy outcomes, for patients who take the treatment to its completion.
The authors agree with Mulick, Landes, and Kanter (2012) that the issue of dropout is of considerable concern in this healing process. This is because of the high numbers of patients diagnosed with this disorder, who do not complete treatment to its end. One of the primary goals of this treatment among the patients is behavior change. This is because most if the patients diagnosed with the posttraumatic stress disorder are characterized by high levels of hopelessness even before they are given any therapy. In this case, the treatment has to induce some level of positive behavior change. Positive behavior change plays a central role in the treatment process. This is because the treatment should bring back the patients suffering with this disorder, from a situation of hopelessness and high stress levels, to a normal situation (Mulick, Landes, & Kanter, 2012).
Gilman, Schumm, and Chard (2012) in their article argue that treatments that do not contribute to positive psychotherapy outcomes are ineffective. Because most patients suffering with posttraumatic stress disorder are characterized by issues like high stress levels and hopelessness demands comprehensive treatment process. Much is expected to aid the healing…
