journal "Logotherapy as an Adjunctive Treatment for Chronic Combat-related PTSD: A Meaning-based Intervention"

Combat-related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often highly debilitating
and affects nearly all areas of psychosocial functioning. Veterans with PTSD re- experience their traumas in the form of haunting intrusive memories, nightmares and flashbacks, and have chronic difficulty modulating arousal As a way to cope with these symptoms, many survivors live isolated and avoidant lives, self-medicate with alcohol and substances of abuse, and numb themselves to emotional experiences and relationships with family and friends. Additionally, many combat veterans report survivor guilt, depression, affect dysregulation, and an altered world view in which fate is seen as uncontrollable and life is viewed as devoid of meaning. In this report we describe the use of logotherapy (healing through meaning) for the treatment of combat-related FTSD Chronic combat-related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is notoriously difficult to treat. While numerous therapeutic approaches have been tried in this population, success rates generally have been modest to moderate. Published therapeutic trials have included treatment with exposure therapies, cognitive processing therapies, psychodynamic psychotherapy, eye movement desen sitization and reprocessing (EMDR), hypnotherapy, and pharmacotherapy (Foa et al., 2000, Silver SM and Rogers S, 2002, Wilson, Friedman and Lindy 2001). These therapies have primarily focused on the alleviation of specific symptoms of PTSD and of symptoms accompanying co-morbid psychiatric disorders. However, even when DSM symptoms respond to treatment, many veterans with PTSD, who have experienced the darkest side of human nature, are left with profound existential questions related to the loss of meaning in life. While less symptomatic, they may remain tormented and in some cases feel hopeless.STEVEN M. SOUTHWICK, M.D, ROBIN GILMARTIN, LCSW, PATRICK MCDONOUGH, LCSW, PAUL MORRISSEY, M.D., MAJ.
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