Prevention and Treatment of Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders : Focusing on Psychosocial Interventions for Adult Patients

Each year many people are exposed to life-threatening disaster and traumatic events that put them at risk for trauma- and stressor-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. This report reviews research on the psychosocial interventions currently employed for the prevention and treatment of trauma- and stressor-related disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, including cognitive therapy and prolonged exposure, has been shown to improve several outcomes. Considerable progress has also been made in the use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Trauma- and stressor-related disorders are associated with complex outcomes and multiple comorbid emotional, social, and physical health difficulties. Further advances are required in the intervention for populations with complex and chronic forms and in the development of integrated and well-related systems of care.