Treating post-traumatic stress disorder in psychosis and ultra high risk
Poster B139, Friday, October 21, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Mark van der Gaag1,2, David P. G van den Berg1, Paul A. J. de Bont3, Berber M. van der Vleugel4, Carlijn De Roos5, Ad de Jongh6,7, Agnes Van Minnen8,9; 1Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, Den Haag, the Netherlands, 2VU University and EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 3Mental Health Organization Oost Brabant, Boxmeer, the Netherlands, 4Mental Health Organization Noord-Holland Noord, Alkmaar, the Netherlands, 5Mental Health Organization Rivierduinen, Leiden, the Netherlands, 6University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 7School of Health Sciences, Salford University, Manchester, United Kingdom, 8Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands, 9Mental Health Organization Pro Persona, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Ultra high risk (UHR) and people with psychotic disorder have high rates of traumatic experiences and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clinicians are reluctant to treat PTSD in these patients as they fear an exacerbation of symptoms and adverse events. Also researchers use psychosis as an exclusion criterion in trauma studies. The results of a trial will be presented that demonstrates that trauma treatment (EMDR or Exposure) is safe and effective. Most patients loose the PTSD diagnose and also depression and psychotic symptoms improve, while self-esteem is raised. Screening of UHR patients is recommended and proper treatment of PTSD may result in general improvement.
Topic Area: Psychosocial Interventions