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Verhaak L, ter Heide JJ. Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality Pathology. Case Rep Psychiatry 2024; 2024:8552659. [PMID: 38434423 PMCID: PMC10904674 DOI: 10.1155/2024/8552659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients with complex forms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may benefit from schema therapy. While a small number of studies point to the effectiveness of individual schema therapy in refugees with PTSD, no evidence on group schema therapy (GST) in refugees exists. To illustrate and advocate for the use of GST in refugee patients with treatment-resistant PTSD and comorbid personality pathology, a case report is presented. Presentation. The case concerned the treatment of an East African female refugee who survived sexual and physical violence and loss as a child, as the hostage of a rebel army, and as a victim of human trafficking. She was diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Trauma-focused therapy was hampered by insufficient treatment attendance due to current stress factors and early destructive coping strategies. One year of GST enabled the patient to overcome treatment-undermining patterns and benefit from subsequent trauma-focused therapy. Conclusion This case suggests that GST may have the potential to improve treatment adherence and the effectiveness of trauma-focused treatment in complex refugee patients. Clinical impressions need to be confirmed in a study that examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of GST in refugees with treatment-resistant PTSD and personality pathology.
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Bosscher II, de la Rie SM, van der Aa N, Boelen PA. Profiles of posttraumatic stress disorder and negative world assumptions in treatment-seeking refugees. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2314915. [PMID: 38353932 PMCID: PMC10868437 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2314915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Refugees often suffer from trauma-related psychopathology, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Negative world assumptions are strongly correlated with the development, course, and severity of PTSD.Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether there are distinct profiles of PTSD and negative world assumptions (NWA) and examine whether trauma load, torture, and gender differentially predict such symptom profiles.Method: In a sample of 225 treatment-seeking refugees who had resettled in the Netherlands, latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients sharing the same profile of PTSD and NWA symptoms. Predictors of profile membership were analyzed via multinomial logistic regression.Results: A three-profile solution yielded the best model fit: a low PTSD/low NWA profile (23.6%), a high PTSD/high NWA profile (41.8%), and a high PTSD/low NWA profile (34.7%). Participants who reported a higher trauma load, were more likely to be part of the high PTSD/high NWA profile or the high PTSD/low NWA profile in comparison to low PTSD/low NWA profile. Participants who reported having experienced torture were more likely to be part of the high PTSD/high NWA profile in comparison to low PTSD/low NWA profile. Gender did not differentiate between the profiles.Conclusions: This study reveals that among treatment-seeking refugees resettled in the Netherlands, there are distinct profiles of PTSD and NWA. These profiles indicate that PTSD and NWA are not uniformly experienced among refugees, emphasizing the diversity in their psychological responses to trauma. Among individuals experiencing severe PTSD symptoms, a subgroup was identified of individuals who additionally exhibited negative assumptions about themselves, others, and the world. Recognizing this heterogeneity is crucial in both research and clinical practice, particularly in the context of refugee mental health. Directions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris I. Bosscher
- ARQ Centrum’45, Diemen, the Netherlands
- ARQ Nationaal Psychotrauma Centrum, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Simone M. de la Rie
- ARQ Centrum’45, Diemen, the Netherlands
- ARQ Nationaal Psychotrauma Centrum, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Niels van der Aa
- ARQ Centrum’45, Diemen, the Netherlands
- ARQ Nationaal Psychotrauma Centrum, the Netherlands
| | - Paul A. Boelen
- ARQ Centrum’45, Diemen, the Netherlands
- ARQ Nationaal Psychotrauma Centrum, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Lian AEZ, Chooi WT, Bono SA. A Narrative Review Investigating the Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) in Individuals with Trauma Experiences and PTSD. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TRAUMA & DISSOCIATION 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejtd.2023.100315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Parkes M. Working with older people and complex posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of the field and case study using schema therapy. CLIN PSYCHOL-UK 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/13284207.2021.1934428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Parkes
- Aged Persons Mental Health Program, North West Mental Health, Melbourne Health, Parkville, Australia
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van den End A, Dekker J, Beekman ATF, Aarts I, Snoek A, Blankers M, Vriend C, van den Heuvel OA, Thomaes K. Clinical Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Imagery Rescripting Only Compared to Imagery Rescripting and Schema Therapy in Adult Patients With PTSD and Comorbid Cluster C Personality Disorder: Study Design of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:633614. [PMID: 33868050 PMCID: PMC8044980 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.633614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious and relatively common mental disorder causing a high burden of suffering. Whereas evidence-based treatments are available, dropout and non-response rates remain high. PTSD and Cluster C personality disorders (avoidant, dependent or obsessive-compulsive personality disorder; CPD) are highly comorbid and there is evidence for suboptimal treatment effects in this subgroup of patients. An integrated PTSD and CPD treatment may be needed to increase treatment efficacy. However, no studies directly comparing the efficacy of regular PTSD treatment and treatment tailored to PTSD and comorbid CPD are available. Whether integrated treatment is more effective than treatment focused on PTSD alone is important, since (1) no evidence-based guideline for PTSD and comorbid CPD treatment exists, and (2) treatment approaches to CPD are costly and time consuming. Present study design describes a randomized controlled trial (RCT) directly comparing trauma focused treatment with integrated trauma focused and personality focused treatment. Methods: An RCT with two parallel groups design will be used to compare the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of "standalone" imagery rescripting (n = 63) with integrated imagery rescripting and schema therapy (n = 63). This trial is part of a larger research project on PTSD and personality disorders. Predictors, mediators and outcome variables are measured at regular intervals over the course of 18 months. The main outcome is PTSD severity at 12 months. Additionally, machine-learning techniques will be used to predict treatment outcome using biopsychosocial variables. Discussion: This study protocol outlines the first RCT aimed at directly comparing the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of imagery rescripting and integrated imagery rescripting and schema therapy for treatment seeking adult patients with PTSD and comorbid cluster C personality pathology. Additionally, biopsychosocial variables will be used to predict treatment outcome. As such, the trial adds to the development of an empirically informed and individualized treatment indication process. Clinical Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03833531.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne van den End
- Sinai Centrum, Amstelveen, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jack Dekker
- Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Aartjan T F Beekman
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Inga Aarts
- Sinai Centrum, Amstelveen, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Aishah Snoek
- Sinai Centrum, Amstelveen, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Blankers
- Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Chris Vriend
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Odile A van den Heuvel
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kathleen Thomaes
- Sinai Centrum, Amstelveen, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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