Cognitive Models Explaining Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Cognitive Therapy Methods Frequently Used in Trauma Victims

Abstract

Trauma is considered a significant event that causes intense fear and anxiety and frequent avoidance owing to its unfolding and persistence. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop when the distress and symptoms caused by the development and acute nature of the trauma do not resolve spontaneously over time. Incompatibility with one's existing schemas and the emergence of new nonfunctional schemas are both effective in the development of PTSD. Thus, while working with trauma victims, attempts to restructure the existing traumatic cognitions by doing assessments about traumatic cognitions play an effective role in reinterpreting the traumatic experience. This review study examines the nature of trauma, the expression of trauma according to cognitive therapy, widely recognized cognitive models explaining trauma, and frequently utilized effective cognitive methods for trauma victims. The impact of cognitive processes on the development and continuation of trauma was expressed, and the models of different experts explaining trauma were discussed in detail. Furthermore, considering the contribution of cognitive therapy intervention techniques for PTSD in healthily reevaluating the trauma, cognitive therapy methods that are thought to contribute to both the victim and mental health professionals are included.