Final Project
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has become one of the leading choices for treatment when working with individuals who are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). CBT is the utmost effective type of intervention used in counseling services and has created a large impact on the military community (Treatment Of PTSD, 2016). The implementation of CBT involves exploring individual’s negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors thus reconstructing them into a positive manner (NAMI, 2016). The efficacy of CBT has been a leading prospect for researchers. This literature review will examine the question of the efficacy of CBT for adult military personnel, who are diagnosed with PTSD. The literature review will …show more content…
Research is consistently examining the barriers of treatment in order to help military personnel achieve treatment. Garcia et al. (2014) conducted a cross sectional survey to understand the patient level barriers and the institutional level barriers. Research indicates male military personnel are found to have negative attitudes towards treatment. Study results show the predominant barriers of CBT treatment are time conflict, the dislike of group work, the feeling of weakness, and the belief of going crazy over treatment (Garcia et al., 2014). Stecker, Shiner, Watts, Jones, & Conner (2013), conducted a similar study with military personnel and the irrational beliefs of treatment. Worksheets were given to participants to fill out concerning the use of treatment and analyzed through a standard thematic analysis (Stecker et al., 2013). Participants concluded barriers such as fear of medication, not being understood by anyone, and not being emotionally ready to start treatment. Patient level and institutional level barriers hinder the therapeutic treatment one could potentially gain (Stecker et al., …show more content…
Cognitive therapy is an emerging theme continuously being studied in research. Cognitive reconstructing, in vivo exposure, and imaginal exposure are the leading cognitive approaches when working with military personnel who are diagnosed with PTSD. Zayfert et al. (2005) conducted a study to examine whether the use of cognitive therapy would increase the likelihood of treatment completion. The results indicated participants who experienced cognitive reconstructing and imaginal exposure therapy received a higher likelihood of treatment completion, then those who did not participate in the cognitive therapy (Zayfert et al., 2005). Steenkamp et al. (2011) conducted a study using imaginal exposure. Participants were asked to recollect the worst war related experience in detail in order to reconstruct and process the experience in a non-negative manner. Steenkamp et al. (2011) believed participants could be exposed to a horrific event and be able to learn ways to process the experience differently. Margolies, Rybarczyk, Vrana, Leszczyszyn, & Lynch (2013), conducted a study to examine CBT in adjunct with imagery rehearsal therapy in order to help participants rescript nightmares. By reconstructing nightmares into pleasant experiences, participants were able to increase sleep quality, decrease insomnia symptoms, and decrease PTSD symptoms (Margolies, Rybarczyk, Vrana, Leszczyszyn, & Lynch, 2013). The use of
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has become one of the leading choices for treatment when working with individuals who are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). CBT is the utmost effective type of intervention used in counseling services and has created a large impact on the military community (Treatment Of PTSD, 2016). The implementation of CBT involves exploring individual’s negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors thus reconstructing them into a positive manner (NAMI, 2016). The efficacy of CBT has been a leading prospect for researchers. This literature review will examine the question of the efficacy of CBT for adult military personnel, who are diagnosed with PTSD. The literature review will …show more content…
Research is consistently examining the barriers of treatment in order to help military personnel achieve treatment. Garcia et al. (2014) conducted a cross sectional survey to understand the patient level barriers and the institutional level barriers. Research indicates male military personnel are found to have negative attitudes towards treatment. Study results show the predominant barriers of CBT treatment are time conflict, the dislike of group work, the feeling of weakness, and the belief of going crazy over treatment (Garcia et al., 2014). Stecker, Shiner, Watts, Jones, & Conner (2013), conducted a similar study with military personnel and the irrational beliefs of treatment. Worksheets were given to participants to fill out concerning the use of treatment and analyzed through a standard thematic analysis (Stecker et al., 2013). Participants concluded barriers such as fear of medication, not being understood by anyone, and not being emotionally ready to start treatment. Patient level and institutional level barriers hinder the therapeutic treatment one could potentially gain (Stecker et al., …show more content…
Cognitive therapy is an emerging theme continuously being studied in research. Cognitive reconstructing, in vivo exposure, and imaginal exposure are the leading cognitive approaches when working with military personnel who are diagnosed with PTSD. Zayfert et al. (2005) conducted a study to examine whether the use of cognitive therapy would increase the likelihood of treatment completion. The results indicated participants who experienced cognitive reconstructing and imaginal exposure therapy received a higher likelihood of treatment completion, then those who did not participate in the cognitive therapy (Zayfert et al., 2005). Steenkamp et al. (2011) conducted a study using imaginal exposure. Participants were asked to recollect the worst war related experience in detail in order to reconstruct and process the experience in a non-negative manner. Steenkamp et al. (2011) believed participants could be exposed to a horrific event and be able to learn ways to process the experience differently. Margolies, Rybarczyk, Vrana, Leszczyszyn, & Lynch (2013), conducted a study to examine CBT in adjunct with imagery rehearsal therapy in order to help participants rescript nightmares. By reconstructing nightmares into pleasant experiences, participants were able to increase sleep quality, decrease insomnia symptoms, and decrease PTSD symptoms (Margolies, Rybarczyk, Vrana, Leszczyszyn, & Lynch, 2013). The use of