Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder

This chapter discusses the trauma-focused cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) procedures for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder (ASD). The treatment procedures for PTSD and ASD are same. Cognitive therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD) is designed for people who have experienced or witnessed situations of extreme threat, usually involving threat to life or physical integrity (e.g., assault, severe accident, disaster, or sexual abuse). PTSD shows a substantial comorbidity with mood disorders, other anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and somatization. The chapter also describes how treatment may have to be adapted if comorbid conditions need to be addressed. Although treatment guidelines recommend trauma-focused psychological treatments as the first-line treatments for PTSD, they acknowledge a role for medication. This edition first published 2013 © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.