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Treatment of adult post-traumatic stress disorder using a future-oriented writing therapy approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 October 2009

Reginald D. V. Nixon  and
Leonard W. Kling
Reginald D. V. Nixon*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Leonard W. Kling
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr R. D. V. Nixon, School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. (email: [email protected])
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Abstract

The aim of this pilot study was to test whether a future-oriented expressive writing intervention is able to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity and associated symptoms such as depression and unhelpful trauma-related beliefs. In an uncontrolled pre-/ post-design participants attended 8 weeks of manualized therapy. Assessment was undertaken pre- and post-treatment, and participants also completed a 3-month follow-up assessment. Of the 17 participants who began therapy, 13 were treatment completers. Results indicated a significant decrease in PTSD severity, depression and unhelpful trauma-related cognitions from pre- to post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up. Clinically meaningful change was more modest; however, three participants reported PTSD remission at 3-month follow-up. It is concluded that expressive writing with a focus on achieving future goals and personal change may have some utility in reducing post-traumatic stress but future research will need to investigate this with greater methodological rigour before firm conclusions can be made.

Keywords

Anxietydepressionexpressive writingPTSDtraumatreatment
Type
Practice article
Information
the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , December 2009 , pp. 243 - 255
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2009

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References

Recommended follow-up reading

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