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Disaster and Terrorism: Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Robyn D. Walser ,
Josef I. Ruzek ,
Amy E. Naugle ,
Christine Padesky ,
Diana M. Ronell  and
Ken Ruggiero
Robyn D. Walser*
Affiliation:
National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Administration Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA
Josef I. Ruzek
Affiliation:
National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Administration Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA
Amy E. Naugle
Affiliation:
Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
Christine Padesky
Affiliation:
Center for Cognitive Therapy Huntington Beach, California, USA
Diana M. Ronell
Affiliation:
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Ken Ruggiero
Affiliation:
Medical University South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
*
VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, Mail Code 334 MPD, Menlo Park, CA 94025USA E-mail: Robyn.Walser@med.va.gov
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Abstract

The mental health effects of disaster and terrorism have moved to the forefront in the recent past following the events of 11 September 2001 in the United States. Although there has been a protracted history by mental health researchers and practitioners to study, understand, prevent, and treat mental health problems arising as a result of disasters and terrorism, there still is much to learn about the effects and treatment of trauma. Continued communication among disaster workers, first-response medical personnel, and mental health professionals is part of this process. This paper outlines current knowledge regarding the psychological effects of trauma and best cognitive-behavioral practices used to treat trauma reactions. More specifically, the information presented is a summary of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions that are relevant for responding to and dealing with the aftermath of disasters.

Keywords

cognitive-behavioral practicesdepressiondisasterpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)terrorismtrauma
Type
Special Reports
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 19 , Special Issue 1: Psychosocial Themes , March 2004 , pp. 54 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2004

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