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Treatment of Delayed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following Sexual Abuse: A Case Example

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

Louise Sharpe ,
Nicholas Tarrier  and
Nicolina Rotundo
Louise Sharpe
Affiliation:
West Middlesex Hospital, Isleworth
Nicholas Tarrier
Affiliation:
Withington Hospital, Manchester
Nicolina Rotundo
Affiliation:
University of Sydney, Australia
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Abstract

Recent advances have been made in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cognitive behavioural techniques have been reported in controlled trials to be very effective in reducing arousal symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, such as sleep disturbance, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts and flashbacks. It remains unclear from the literature, however, how well these treatment modalities can alleviate post-traumatic stress disorder where the predominant clinical features are associated with depersonalization and dissociative states. Depersonalization is evident in a significant proportion of individuals presenting with PTSD and yet does not appear to be amenable to exposure based therapies. A case study presented suggests methods through which depersonalization may be addressed within the therapeutic context.

Type
Clinical Section
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , July 1994 , pp. 233 - 242
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1994

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