Long-term improvement in coping skills following multimodal treatment in war veterans with chronic PTSD.
Due to the long-lasting and resistant symptoms characteristic of chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), its treatment is complex and often requires a tailored therapeutic approach incorporating both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. A multimodal approach of psychoeducative, sociotherapeutic, and dynamically oriented trauma-focused groups is described. We assessed the short- and long-term effectiveness of this therapeutic program by monitoring its impact on PTSD symptoms, depression, neurotic symptoms, coping skills, and quality of life for three years. The findings revealed short-term reduction in the symptoms of PTSD and depression, while the long-term results were manifested as the increased use of all coping mechanisms and a greater level of obsession.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Split Hospital and School of Medicine, Croatia. dbritvic@globalnet.hr
Dolores
D
Britvić
Dubravka
D
Glučina
Vesna
V
Antičevič
Vesna
V
Kekez
Branka
B
Lapenda
Varja
V
Đogaš
Goran
G
Dodig
Ivan
I
Urlić
Iva
I
Moro
Tanja
T
Frančišković
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017523:Croatia; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014857:Warfare
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors