PTSD: Treatment, Innovations, & Resources Amy W. Wagner, Ph.D. Portland VA Medical Center

My Plan Provide brief overview of DSM-V criteria for PTSD Provide brief overview of DSM-V criteria for PTSD Discuss evidenced-based treatments for PTSD and related problems Discuss evidenced-based treatments for PTSD and related problems Highlight key on-line resources for you and your clients and cool innovations Highlight key on-line resources for you and your clients and cool innovations

DSM-V DSM-V “Just when I thought I knew what I was doing it all changed again…” Not so much, really.

Main Changes in DSM-V for PTSD PTSD moved from the anxiety disorders to a new class, “trauma and stressor-related disorders” PTSD moved from the anxiety disorders to a new class, “trauma and stressor-related disorders” Definition of “trauma” slightly changed Definition of “trauma” slightly changed –No longer need “fear, helplessness, or horror” (A2) –Types of trauma (A1) somewhat narrowed (no longer can include unexpected death of family/close friend due to natural causes)

Main Changes in DSM-V for PTSD The 3 clusters of DSM-IV are now 5 clusters: The 3 clusters of DSM-IV are now 5 clusters: –Intrusions –Avoidance –Negative alterations in cognitions and mood –Alterations in arousal and reactivity New subtype: with dissociative symptoms New subtype: with dissociative symptoms

Treatments for PTSD

Trauma-processing treatments Trauma-processing treatments –Facilitate the “working through” of traumatic experiences –Trauma-focused Skills-based treatments Skills-based treatments –Teach strategies for managing individual symptoms of PTSD –Present-focused (v. trauma-focused) Acceptance-oriented treatments Acceptance-oriented treatments –Newer to the field –Facilitate “living with” or “living despite” PTSD; i.e., living

PTSD: Trauma-Processing Treatments Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE; Foa, Hembree, & Rothbaum, 2007) Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE; Foa, Hembree, & Rothbaum, 2007) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT; Resick & Schnicke, 1993) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT; Resick & Schnicke, 1993) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR; Shapiro, 2001) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR; Shapiro, 2001)

Prolonged Exposure Based on emotional processing theory (combines classical conditioning theory and an “information processing model” that links associations between stimuli, responses and meaning elements (beliefs) Based on emotional processing theory (combines classical conditioning theory and an “information processing model” that links associations between stimuli, responses and meaning elements (beliefs) The fear “network” must be activated and new associations must be learned to the conditioned stimuli The fear “network” must be activated and new associations must be learned to the conditioned stimuli

Prolonged Exposure Case Formulation classically conditioned response (associate related things to the trauma, e.g. loud noises, helicopters, crowded places) negative thinking (the world is dangerous, I’m incompetent) negative thinking (the world is dangerous, I’m incompetent) arousal (heart racing, sweatiness) arousal (heart racing, sweatiness) avoidance (of activities, work, open spaces, crowds)

PE: Fear Reduction Process Approach to fear- eliciting stimuli or memories Approach to fear- eliciting stimuli or memories Prevention of avoidant behaviors Prevention of avoidant behaviors Incorporation of new information Incorporation of new information Anxiety increases initially, followed by reduction Anxiety increases initially, followed by reduction Time Fear

Prolonged Exposure minute sessions minute sessions Education and orientation Education and orientation Imaginal exposure (exposure to the memories) Imaginal exposure (exposure to the memories) In vivo exposure (exposure to avoided situations and activities) In vivo exposure (exposure to avoided situations and activities) Stress tolerance and cognitive restructuring throughout Stress tolerance and cognitive restructuring throughout Between session practice Between session practice

Cognitive Processing Therapy Largely based on a social-cognitive theory that suggests trauma alters beliefs in 5 key areas: safety, trust, power/control, esteem, & intimacy Largely based on a social-cognitive theory that suggests trauma alters beliefs in 5 key areas: safety, trust, power/control, esteem, & intimacy Emphasis on reconciling pre-existing beliefs with new beliefs towards more balanced ways of viewing oneself, others, and the world Emphasis on reconciling pre-existing beliefs with new beliefs towards more balanced ways of viewing oneself, others, and the world Like PE, views activating the “fear network” important Like PE, views activating the “fear network” important

Cognitive Processing Therapy Can be delivered individually, in group, or both Can be delivered individually, in group, or both minute sessions (individual) minute sessions (individual) Education and orientation Education and orientation Written “impact statement” Written “impact statement” Written trauma account Written trauma account Cognitive restructuring Cognitive restructuring Between session homework Between session homework

Cognitive Processing Therapy Two versions, full CPT and CPT without the written trauma narrative (“CPT-C”) Two versions, full CPT and CPT without the written trauma narrative (“CPT-C”) New data suggest CPT-C just as effective in the long run with quicker change in the short run New data suggest CPT-C just as effective in the long run with quicker change in the short run Stay tuned! Stay tuned!

PTSD: Trauma Processing Therapies Recommended if: Recommended if: –Reasonable emotion regulation abilities –Motivated for treatment –Willing to focus on trauma Not recommended if: Not recommended if: –Active substance dependence –High HI or SI –Other indicators of significant emotion dysregulation –Factors that would interfere with adhering to the treatment

Pause for Plug The National Center for PTSD (VA) has a wealth of invaluable and up-to-date resources for providers and clients:

Why should we consider a different approach to PTSD treatment? Substantial drop-out among trauma-focused treatments Substantial drop-out among trauma-focused treatments Barriers exist to engagement in trauma-focused treatments Barriers exist to engagement in trauma-focused treatments Some populations show preferences for present- focused/skill-based interventions (Veterans, adolescents) Some populations show preferences for present- focused/skill-based interventions (Veterans, adolescents) Barriers exist to implementation of trauma- focused treatments Barriers exist to implementation of trauma- focused treatments

PTSD: Skills-Based Treatments Based on premise that given the impact of trauma, existing means of coping are inadequate Based on premise that given the impact of trauma, existing means of coping are inadequate Person must learn new means of managing thoughts/memories, emotions, and behaviors Person must learn new means of managing thoughts/memories, emotions, and behaviors Interventions are presented didactically, often in group formats Interventions are presented didactically, often in group formats

Data: Main PE outcome studies actually support present-focused treatments From: Foa, EB, Dancu, CV, Hembree, EA, et al. (1999). A comparison of exposure therapy, stress inoculation training, and their combination for reducing posttraumatic stress disorder in female assault victims. JCCP, 67,

Data: Main PE outcome studies actually support present-focused treatments From: Schnurr, PP, Friedman, MJ, Engel, CC, Foa, EB, et al. (2007). Cognitive behavioral therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in women: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 297,

PTSD: Skills-Based Treatments Stress Inoculation Training (Meichenbaum, 1985) Stress Inoculation Training (Meichenbaum, 1985) Portland VAMC (Campbell, Powch, Van Male, Sardo) Portland VAMC (Campbell, Powch, Van Male, Sardo) Other approaches (e.g., Whealin, 2008a and 2008b; VAPIHCS) Other approaches (e.g., Whealin, 2008a and 2008b; VAPIHCS)

PTSD: Skills-Based Treatments Individual Symptoms Anger Anger Chronic pain Chronic pain Insomnia Insomnia “Stress” “Stress” Panic Panic Interpersonal difficulties Interpersonal difficulties Avoidance Avoidance

PTSD: Skills-Based Treatments Often suggested as a “first step” treatment Often suggested as a “first step” treatment Recommended for veterans who may not be able to fully engage in trauma processing therapies Recommended for veterans who may not be able to fully engage in trauma processing therapies Recommended for therapists who have not been trained in trauma processing therapies Recommended for therapists who have not been trained in trauma processing therapies

Acceptance-Oriented Treatments Based on premise that significant suffering stems from efforts to avoid or deny experiences and emotions Based on premise that significant suffering stems from efforts to avoid or deny experiences and emotions Teach methods for living with (PTSD) and other intense emotional experiences towards living life more fully Teach methods for living with (PTSD) and other intense emotional experiences towards living life more fully Teach the capacity for living in the present moment, the opposite of focusing on past traumatic experiences or potential future threats Teach the capacity for living in the present moment, the opposite of focusing on past traumatic experiences or potential future threats

Acceptance-Oriented Treatments Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT; Linehan, 1993) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT; Linehan, 1993) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 1999; Walser & Westrup, 2007) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 1999; Walser & Westrup, 2007)

Acceptance-Oriented Treatments: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Comprehensive treatment for multi-problemed individuals with severe emotion dysregulation Comprehensive treatment for multi-problemed individuals with severe emotion dysregulation Behavior therapy at the core with strong emphasis on acceptance-based interventions (such as validation and mindfulness) Behavior therapy at the core with strong emphasis on acceptance-based interventions (such as validation and mindfulness) Particularly effective at reducing suicidal behavior Particularly effective at reducing suicidal behavior

Acceptance-Oriented Treatments: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Weekly individual and skills-based group therapy, plus phone consultation and therapist support Weekly individual and skills-based group therapy, plus phone consultation and therapist support For those with “complex” presentations in which uniform case formulation does not fit For those with “complex” presentations in which uniform case formulation does not fit Interesting new data on embedding PE within DBT for individuals with co-morbid PTSD (Harned & Linehan, 2008; Harned et al., 2012) Interesting new data on embedding PE within DBT for individuals with co-morbid PTSD (Harned & Linehan, 2008; Harned et al., 2012)

Acceptance-Oriented Treatments: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 12 sessions 12 sessions Increasing awareness: of one’s thought processes, experiences, values, and the present moment Increasing awareness: of one’s thought processes, experiences, values, and the present moment Committed action: towards what matters (and despite what one thinks and feels) Committed action: towards what matters (and despite what one thinks and feels) Support for efficacy with depression, psychosis, substance abuse; being used with PTSD Support for efficacy with depression, psychosis, substance abuse; being used with PTSD

Acceptance-Oriented Treatments For those who cannot tolerate pure change- oriented treatments For those who cannot tolerate pure change- oriented treatments For those who still have some degree of suffering after trauma-processing therapies For those who still have some degree of suffering after trauma-processing therapies For those who do not wish to engage in trauma processing therapies For those who do not wish to engage in trauma processing therapies For relapse prevention For relapse prevention For anyone wanting to live life more fully in the present For anyone wanting to live life more fully in the present

Behavioral Activation For Depression and PTSD (Martell, Addis, & Jacobson; Jakupcak & Wagner; Acierno et al.) Based on premise that problems in vulnerable individuals' lives and behavioral responses reduce ability to experience positive reward from their environments Based on premise that problems in vulnerable individuals' lives and behavioral responses reduce ability to experience positive reward from their environments Aims to systematically increase activation such that patients may experience greater contact with sources of reward in their lives and solve life problems Aims to systematically increase activation such that patients may experience greater contact with sources of reward in their lives and solve life problems Focuses directly on activation and on processes that inhibit activation, such as escape and avoidance behaviors and ruminative thinking Focuses directly on activation and on processes that inhibit activation, such as escape and avoidance behaviors and ruminative thinking

Resources & Innovations National Center for PTSD National Center for PTSD Afterdeployment.org (self-help for veterans and family members and materials for providers) Afterdeployment.org (self-help for veterans and family members and materials for providers)

Resources & Innovations National Center for Telehealth and Technology National Center for Telehealth and Technology Great apps!! For clients and providers Great apps!! For clients and providers ch.asp ch.asp

Resources & Innovations Portland Vet Center Portland Vet Center PTSD Clinical Team at the Portland VA PTSD Clinical Team at the Portland VA Telehealth through the Portland VA Telehealth through the Portland VA Returning Veterans Project ( Returning Veterans Project ( Some options for “fee basis” reimbursement through the VA Some options for “fee basis” reimbursement through the VA