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Behavioral activation as a primary care‐based treatment for PTSD and depression among returning veterans
Author(s) -
Jakupcak Matthew,
Wagner Amy,
Paulson Autumn,
Varra Alethea,
McFall Miles
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20543
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , posttraumatic stress , psychiatry , veterans affairs , primary care , specialty , behavioral activation , quality of life (healthcare) , clinical psychology , medicine , psychology , family medicine , psychotherapist , cognition , economics , macroeconomics
This preliminary study examined treatment‐satisfaction and potential therapeutic benefits of Behavioral Activation as a primary care‐based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans. Eight veterans were enrolled, 6 completed at least 4 sessions, and 5 veterans completed posttreatment and 3‐month follow‐up assessments after receiving 5–8 weekly sessions of Behavioral Activation delivered in a specialty postdeployment primary care clinic. Significant and meaningful reductions in PTSD symptoms were found on structured clinical assessments and self‐report measures. Posttraumatic stress disorder treatment gains (measured by structured clinical assessments) were maintained at 3‐month follow‐up. The majority of veterans demonstrated meaningful improvements on depression and quality of life and veterans reported a high satisfaction with treatment.