Therapy Works for Terrorist Attack Survivors
May 14, 2007
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Cognitive therapy is the treatment of
choice for those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to
rape or traffic accidents. Now, a new study finds cognitive therapy can also
help survivors of terrorist attacks.
Researchers at the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and
Transformation observed 58 people with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder
linked to terrorism. The patients were split into two groups. The first group
received immediate cognitive therapy, and the second group waited 12 weeks for
therapy. Study authors measured the levels of post-traumatic stress and
depression at the start of the study and after the initial treatment.
Study authors found after 12 weeks, the patients who received cognitive therapy showed significant improvements, while the patients who were on the waiting list showed no change or worsened. Researchers report the degree of improvement made by those in the therapy group varied between individuals, probably due to the complexity of their problems. Nonetheless, researchers conclude cognitive therapy is effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder related to terrorism and other civil conflict.
SOURCE: British Medical Journal, published online May 10, 2007
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