Clinical Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Conceptual Challenges Raised by Recent Research

Abstract

Objective: This paper highlights some of the recent findings in the field of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and examines their impact on conceptions of trauma-focused clinical treatment. Method: A series of research findings in the area of epidemiology, phenomenology, neurobiology and treatment are summarised. Results: The findings from these studies present critical challenges for clinicians who wish to treat trauma survivors using specialised trauma treatments. The major challenge is one of avoiding a simplistic view of PTSD as a singular response to trauma, as this perception may result in an underestimation of the complexity and disabling quality of the disorder, and lead to the formulation of treatment plans that are simplistic or incomplete. Conclusions: A more precise characterisation of the nature and range of the stress responses of trauma victims will significantly improve treatments of trauma survivors.