Alternatives to debriefing and modifications to cognitive behavior therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder.
BACKGROUND
Psychological debriefing uses brief unsystematic exposure, and is ineffective for posttraumatic stress symptoms and disorder. Systematic exposure alone and cognitive restructuring alone are each effective. Other approaches too may be useful.


METHODS
The treatment of 3 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients is detailed in which there was no exposure to the main traumatic event. There was exposure to related cues in case 1, exposure to related and other cues followed by well-being therapy (WBT) in case 2 and WBT in case 3.


RESULTS
The 3 patients improved enduringly, confirming earlier findings that exposure to the main trauma is not essential for PTSD to improve.


CONCLUSIONS
A study is needed of therapeutic mechanisms in PTSD and of the value of WBT in a randomized controlled trial.
Belaise
Carlotta
C
Laboratory of Experimental Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Fava
Giovanni A
GA
Marks
Isaac M
IM
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*