Changes in comorbid depression following intensive trauma-focused treatment for PTSD and complex PTSD
Publication year
2023Number of pages
11 p.
Source
European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 14, 2, (2023), article 2258313ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor
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Organization
SW OZ BSI KLP
Journal title
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Volume
vol. 14
Issue
iss. 2
Languages used
English (eng)
Subject
Experimental Psychopathology and TreatmentAbstract
Background: The extent to which intensive trauma-focused treatment for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also effective in treating comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD) remains unclear. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that brief intensive trauma-focused therapy for PTSD is associated with significant reductions in depressive symptoms and loss of diagnostic status of MDD. Methods: A total of 334 adult patients with PTSD (189 patients who were also diagnosed with MDD) underwent a brief intensive trauma-focused treatment programme consisting of EMDR therapy, prolonged exposure, physical activity, and psychoeducation. At pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up, severity and diagnostic status of PTSD and MDD were assessed. A linear mixed model was used to analyze changes in the severity of PTSD and depressive symptoms, whereas a generalized linear mixed model was used to determine changes in the MDD diagnostic status. Results: Treatment resulted in a significant and strong decrease of PTSD and MDD symptoms at post-treatment (d = 2.34 and 1.22, respectively), and at 6-month follow-up (d = 1.67 and 0.73, respectively). The proportion of patients fulfilling the diagnostic status of MDD changed from 57% at pre-treatment to 33% at the 6-month follow-up. Although the initial response to treatment did not differ between patients with and without comorbid MDD, for both groups a significant relapse in depressive symptoms was found after six months, which could be explained almost entirely by the presence of CPTSD at baseline. Conclusions: The results support the notion that brief, intensive trauma-focused treatment is highly effective for individuals with PTSD and comorbid MDD. Because patients with CPTSD are vulnerable to relapse in depressive symptoms, this target group may require additional treatment.
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- Academic publications [246515]
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- Faculty of Social Sciences [30494]
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