Interpersonal factors in understanding and treating posttraumatic stress disorder.
Exposure to reminders of trauma underlies the theory and practice of most treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet exposure may not be the sole important treatment mechanism. Interpersonal features of PTSD influence its onset, chronicity, and possibly its treatment. The authors review interpersonal factors in PTSD, including the critical but underrecognized role of social support as both protective posttrauma and as a mechanism of recovery. They discuss interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) as an alternative treatment for PTSD and present encouraging findings from two initial studies. Highlighting the potential importance of attachment and interpersonal relationships, the authors propose a mechanism to explain why improving relationships may ameliorate PTSD symptoms.
Markowitz
John C
JC
New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA. jcm42@columbia.edu
Milrod
Barbara
B
Bleiberg
Kathryn
K
Marshall
Randall D
RD