treatment

Understanding PTSD Symptoms Over Time: Longitudinal Network Analysis

Background
Network modeling has been applied in a range of trauma-exposed samples, yet results are limited by an over reliance on cross-sectional data. The current analyses used posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom data collected over a 5-year period to estimate a more robust between-subject network and an associated symptom change network.

Methods
A PTSD symptom network is measured in a sample of military veterans across four time points (Ns = 1254, 1231, 1106, 925). The repeated measures permit isolating between-subject associations by limiting the effects of within-subject variability. The result is a highly reliable PTSD symptom network. A symptom slope network depicting covariation of symptom change over time is also estimated.

Results
Negative trauma-related emotions had particularly strong associations with the network. Trauma-related amnesia, sleep disturbance, and self-destructive behavior had weaker overall associations with other PTSD symptoms.

Conclusions
PTSD’s network structure appears stable over time. There is no single ‘most important’ node or node cluster. The relevance of self-destructive behavior, sleep disturbance, and trauma-related amnesia to the PTSD construct may deserve additional consideration.

Understanding PTSD Symptoms Over Time: Longitudinal Network Analysis Read More »

Anxiety Treatment

  Anxiety Treatment Christian Jonathan Haverkampf Abstract—Anxiety is a highly treatable condition. However, it impairs the life of many. Treatment approaches, such as CBT may lead to quick improvements, which, however, may often not be sustainable. A more insight and communication-focused approach may lead to longer-lasting results. Communication-Focused Therapy® has been developed to that end.

Anxiety Treatment Read More »

Genuine Recovery from Psychosis and Schizophrenia

Whether ‘full’ recovery from psychosis, including schizophrenia, is possible, depends on the definition of the latter. A biological predisposition for schizophrenia is thought to exist in many patients with schizophrenia, which cannot be cured. Mutations in certain genes can make it more likely that an individual will suffer from schizophrenia during his or her lifetime.

Genuine Recovery from Psychosis and Schizophrenia Read More »

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where patients either have repeated intrusive thoughts, perform compulsive behaviours (rituals), or both. The attempt to suppress these thoughts or behaviours leads to heightened anxiety and tension. While patients notice that the thoughts or behaviours do not make sense, they often find it impossible to stop them.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Read More »

Psychotherapy to Treat and Manage Depression

Psychotherapy helps people with depression: * Understand the memories, thoughts, emotions and behaviours that contribute to their depression * Understand unresolved emotions and life events from one’s personal history which may contribute to the depression * Understand interpersonal difficulties and maladaptive interpersonal interaction patterns * Better connect with oneself to resolve emotional conflicts and develop

Psychotherapy to Treat and Manage Depression Read More »

Therapy for Panic Attacks

A combination of psychotherapy and medication has good empirical support for its effectiveness in the therapy of panic attacks. In more severe cases of panic attacks, when it is no longer possible to leave the house, medication may be needed to make psychotherapy possible. Among the various psychotherapeutic approaches, CBT targets maladaptive thought processes and

Therapy for Panic Attacks Read More »

Depression

Depression Christian Jonathan Haverkampf, M.D. Depression is one of the most common medical conditions, which can interfere significantly with a person’s quality of life, relationships and ability to work. Several effective treatments are available, including psychotherapy and medication. This article contains a brief overview of both areas, while focusing on psychotherapy, particularly Communication-Focused Therapy® (CFT),

Depression Read More »

Aripiprazole and Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Psychotic Bipolar Disorder

Aripiprazole in the Treatment of Psychotic Bipolar Disorder Dr Christian Jonathan Haverkampf, M.D. Patients can have bipolar and psychotic symptoms at the same time. Aripiprazole has showed effectiveness in both areas in stabilising mood and reducing psychotic symptoms. Many patients, however, continue to suffer in their everyday life at the workplace, in relationships, and socially

Aripiprazole and Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Psychotic Bipolar Disorder Read More »

Benzodiazepines and Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Benzodiazepines and Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Anxiety and Panic Attacks Christian Jonathan Haverkampf M.D. The benzodiazepines have been used for decades in the treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. They still are the only widely used and effective medication available that can stop anxiety within a very short amount of time. Recommendations for their

Benzodiazepines and Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Anxiety and Panic Attacks Read More »

Communication-Focused Therapy® (CFT) for Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Communication-Focused Therapy® (CFT) for Anxiety and Panic Attacks Christian Jonathan Haverkampf, M.D. Communication-Focused Therapy® (CFT) is a psychotherapy developed by the author, which can be applied to a number of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorder and panic attacks. It focuses on creating greater awareness and insight into internal and external communication patterns and making

Communication-Focused Therapy® (CFT) for Anxiety and Panic Attacks Read More »