Treating adults with acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder in general practice: a clinical update
File version
Version of Record (VoR)
Author(s)
Creamer, Mark C
Phelps, Andrea J
Couineau, Anne-Laure
Cooper, John A
Bryant, Richard A
McFarlane, Alexander C
Devilly, Grant J
Matthews, Lynda R
Raphael, Beverley
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
General practitioners have an important role to play in helping patients after exposure to severe psychological trauma. In the immediate aftermath of trauma, GPs should offer "psychological first aid", which includes monitoring of the patient's mental state, providing general emotional support and information, and encouraging the active use of social support networks, and self-care strategies. Drug treatments should be avoided as a preventive intervention after traumatic exposure; they may be used cautiously in cases of extreme distress that persists. Adults with acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) should be provided with traumafocused cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) in addition to invivo exposure (confronting avoided situations, people or places in a graded and systematic manner) may also be provided for PTSD. Drug treatments should not normally replace trauma-focused psychological therapy as a first-line treatment for adults with PTSD. If medication is considered for treating PTSD in adults, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants are the first choice. Other new generation antidepressants and older tricyclic antidepressants should be considered as second-line pharmacological options. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors may be considered by mental health specialists for use in people with treatment-resistant symptoms.
Journal Title
Medical Journal of Australia
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
187
Issue
2
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
DOI
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Forbes D, Creamer MC, Phelps AJ, et al. Treating adults with acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder in general practice: a clinical update. Med J Aust 2007; 187 (2): 120-123. © Copyright 2007 The Medical Journal of Australia – reproduced with permission.
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Biomedical and clinical sciences
Psychology