Behavioral activation as a primary care-based treatment for PTSD and depression among returning veterans
✍ Scribed by Matthew Jakupcak; Amy Wagner; Autumn Paulson; Alethea Varra; Miles McFall
- Publisher
- Springer
- Year
- 2010
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 75 KB
- Volume
- 23
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0894-9867
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Abstract
This preliminary study examined treatment‐satisfaction and potential therapeutic benefits of Behavioral Activation as a primary care‐based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans. Eight veterans were enrolled, 6 completed at least 4 sessions, and 5 veterans completed posttreatment and 3‐month follow‐up assessments after receiving 5–8 weekly sessions of Behavioral Activation delivered in a specialty postdeployment primary care clinic. Significant and meaningful reductions in PTSD symptoms were found on structured clinical assessments and self‐report measures. Posttraumatic stress disorder treatment gains (measured by structured clinical assessments) were maintained at 3‐month follow‐up. The majority of veterans demonstrated meaningful improvements on depression and quality of life and veterans reported a high satisfaction with treatment.