Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Application of Cognitive Therapy to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

  • Chapter
The Challenge of Cognitive Therapy

Part of the book series: Applied Clinical Psychology ((NSSB))

Overview

In the present chapter, cognitive therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (P.T.S.D.) in response to life-threatening trauma is outlined. The history of traumatic stress disorders is briefly discussed, followed by the current definition of P.T.S.D. (DSM-III-R; American Psychiatric Association, 1987). Etiological factors, and the role of pretrauma and posttrauma factors, are considered in the conceptualization of posttraumatic stress disorder. The focus of the chapter is on the phenomonological experience of trauma for the P.T.S.D. victim. The following cognitive issues are highlighted: appraisal of trauma, generalized belief of vulnerability, self-questioning, and self-appraisal. The implementation of cognitive therapy with P.T.S.D. victims is then explicated. Specific issues discussed include flexibility, resistance, therapeutic relationship, and acknowledgment and support. Case examples are used to illustrate a flexible cognitive therapy approach to the treatment of this disorder. Most of the clinical examples discussed are taken from the injured worker population.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1980). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1987). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed., rev.). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, D. H. (1988). Anxiety and its disorders: The nature and treatment of anxiety and panic. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett, T., & Mizes, J. (1988). Combat level and social support in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans. Behavior Modification, 12, 100–115.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. New York: International Universities Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., & Emery, G. (1985). Anxiety disorders and phobias: A cognitive perspective. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J., Shaw, B. F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birkhimer, L. J., DeVance, C. L., & Muniz, C. E. (1985). Posttraumatic stress disorder: Characteristics and pharmacological response in the veteran population. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 26, 304–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brett, E. A., & Ostroff, R. (1985). Imagery and post-traumatic stress disorder: An overview. American Journal of Psychiatry, 142, 417–424.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coyne, J. C. (1976). Toward an international description of depression. Psychiatry, 39, 28–40.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Daniele, Y. (1985). The treatment and prevention of long-term effects and intergenerational transmission of victimization: A lesson from Holocaust survivors and their children. In C. R. Figley (Ed.), Trauma and its wake: The study and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (pp. 295–313). New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, L. M., & Baum, A. (1986). Chronic stress and posttraumatic stress disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54(3), 303–308.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foy, D. W., Sipprelle, R. C., Rueger, D. B., & Carroll, E. M. (1984). Etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans: Analysis of preliminary, military, and combat exposure influences. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 79–87.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Green, M. A., & Berlin, M. A. (1987). Five psychosocial variables related to the existence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 43(6), 643–649.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Green, B. L., Wilson, J. P., & Lindy, J. D. (1985). Conceptualizing post-traumatic stress disorder: A psychosocial framework. In C. R. Figley (Ed.), Trauma and its wake: The study and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (pp. 53–69). New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigsby, J. P. (1987). The use of imagery in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 175, 55–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heizer, J. E., Robins, L. N., & McEvoy, M. A. (1987). Posttraumatic stress disorder in the general population: Findings of the epidemiologic catchment area survey. The New England Journal of Medicine, 317, 1630–1634.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hickling, E. J., Sison, G., & Vanderploeg, R. D. (1986). Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder with relaxation and biofeedback training. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 11, 125–134.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Horowitz, M. (1986). Stress response syndromes (2nd ed.). NJ: Jason Aronson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howes, J. L., & Parrott, C. A. (in review). Post-traumatic stress disorder: A study of injured workers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyer, L., O’Leary, W. C., Saucer, R. T., Blount, J., Harrison, W. R., & Boudewyns, P. A. (1986). Inpatient diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 698–702.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Janoff-Bulman, R. (1985). The aftermath of victimization: Rebuilding shattered assumptions. In C. R. Figley (Ed.), Trauma and its wake: The study and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (pp. 15–35). New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keane, T. M. (1988). Trauma. Workshop presented at Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy Conference, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keane, T. M. (1989). Post-traumatic stress disorder: Current status and future directions. Behavior Therapy, 20, 149–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keane, T. M., & Kaloupek, D. G. (1982). Imaginai flooding in the treatment of a post-traumatic stress disorder, journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 50, 138–140.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keane, T. M., Fairbank, J. A., Caddell, J. M., Zimering, R. T., & Bender, M. E. (1985a). A behavioral approach to assessing and treating post-traumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans. In C. R. Figley (Ed.), Trauma and its wake: The study and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (pp. 257–294). New York: Bruner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keane, T. M., Scott, W. O., Chavoya, G. A., Lamparski, D. M., & Fairbank, J. A. (1985). Social support in Vietnam veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: A comparative analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 95–102.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keane, T. M., Fairbank, J. A., Caddell, J. M., & Zimering, R. T. (1989). Implosive (flooding) therapy reduces symptoms of PTSD in Vietnam combat veterans. Behavior Therapy, 20, 245–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kilpatrick, D. G., Best, C. L., Veronen, L. J., Amick, A. E., Villeponteaux, L. A., & Russ, G. A. (1985). Mental health correlates of criminal victimization: A random community survey. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 866–873.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krystal, J. H., Kosten, T. R., Southwick, S., Mason, J. W., Perry, B. D., & Giller, E. L. (1989). Neurobiological aspects of PTSD: Review of clinical and preclinical studies. Behavior Therapy, 20, 177–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lerner, M. J. (1980). The belief in a just world. New York: Plenum.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Litz, B. T., & Keane, T. M. (1989). Information processing in anxiety disorders: Application to the understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 9, 243–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madakasira, S., & O’Brien, K. F. (1987). Acute post-traumatic stress disorder in victims of a natural disaster. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 175, 286–290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mahoney, M. J. (1988). The cognitive sciences and psychotherapy: Patterns in a developing relationship. In K. Dobson (Ed.), Handbook of cognitive-behavioral therapies (pp. 357–386). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marks, I. M. (1987). Fears, phobias, and rituals: Panic, anxiety and their disorders. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCaffrey, R. J., & Fairbank, J. A. (1985). Behavioral assessment and treatment of accident-related PTSD: 2 case studies. Behavior Therapy, 16, 404–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McFarlane, A. (1988). The aetiology of post-traumatic stress disorder following a natural disaster. British Journal of Psychiatry, 152, 116–121.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M., & Solomon, Z. (1988). Attributional style and combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 97, 308–313.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nadler, A., & Ben-Shushan, D. (1989). Forty years later: Long-term consequences of massive traumatization as manifested by Holocaust survivors from the city and the Kibbutz. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 287–293.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pennebaker, J., & Beali, S. (1986). Confronting a traumatic event: Toward an understanding of inhibition and disease. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95, 274–281.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryctarik, R. G., Silverman, W. K., VanLandingham, W. P., & Prue, D. M. (1984). Treatment of an incest victim with implosive therapy. Behavior Therapy, 15, 410–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Safran, J. D., Vallis, T. M., Segal, Z. V., & Shaw, B. F. (1986). Assessment of core cognitive processes in cognitive therapy. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 10, 509–526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schottenfeld, R. S., & Cullen, M. R. (1986). Recognition of occupation-induced post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Occupational Medicine, 28, 365–369.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. E. P. (1975). Helplessness: On depression, development, and death. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. E. P., & Garber, J. (1980). Human helplessness. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, Z. (1988). Somatic complaints, stress reaction, and post-traumatic stress disorder: A three-year follow-up study. Behavioral Medicine, 14, 179–185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stretch, R. H. (1985). Post-traumatic stress disorder among U.S. Army Reserve Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 935–936.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stretch, R. H. (1986). Post-traumatic stress disorder among Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans. In C. R. Figley (Ed.), Trauma and its wake, Volume II: Traumatic stress theory, research, and intervention (pp. 156–192). New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stretch, R. H. (1990). Post-traumatic stress disorder and the Canadian Vietnam veteran. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 3, 239–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stretch, R. H., Vail, J. D., & Maloney, J. D. (1985). Post-traumatic stress disorder among army nurse corps Vietnam veterans. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 704–708.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thienes-Hontos, P., Watson, C. G., & Kucala, T. (1982). Stress-disorder symptoms in Vietnam and Korean War veterans. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 50, 558–561.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trimble, M. R. (1985). Post-traumatic stress disorder: History of a concept. In C. R. Figley (Ed.), Trauma and its wake: The study and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (pp. 5–14). New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J. P., Smith, W. K., & Johnson, S. K. (1985). A comparative analysis of PTSD among various survivor groups. In C. R. Figley (Ed.), Trauma and its wake: The study and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (pp. 142–172). New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Private Practice, 1060 Springhill Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L5H 1M9, Canada

    Carol A. Parrott

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Canada

    Janice L. Howes

  3. Department of Psychology, Camp Hill Medical Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3G2, Canada

    Janice L. Howes

Authors
  1. Carol A. Parrott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Janice L. Howes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dalhousie University, Camp Hill Medical Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    T. Michael Vallis  & Janice L. Howes  & 

  2. Behavioral Health Clinic, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Philip C. Miller

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Parrott, C.A., Howes, J.L. (1991). The Application of Cognitive Therapy to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In: Vallis, T.M., Howes, J.L., Miller, P.C. (eds) The Challenge of Cognitive Therapy. Applied Clinical Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0649-6_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0649-6_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-0651-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-0649-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation