BMJ  2005;330:1038-1039 (7 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7499.1038

Editorial

Coping with the aftermath of trauma

NICE recommends psychological therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Adequate survival behaviour is a crucial "gift of nature." Humans have been fairly successful in reducing the threat to life. Nevertheless, crossing a street or driving a car requires increased alertness in order to survive. Natural disasters such as the recent tsunami and man-made disasters such as war, terrorist attacks, killing, robbing, sexual and physical abuse, and plane crashes show how vulnerable we are. After surviving such an event, people need basics—food, shelter, medical care, and consolation. Nowadays psychological care has been added to this list of basic needs for some people.

Doctors ought to know whether and when psychological help is necessary. The new guideline on managing post-traumatic stress disorder in primary and secondary care from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) excellently summarises the experiences of sufferers and carers and provides evidence and advice on interventions for adults and children.¹ The guideline gives special attention to . . . [Full text of this article]

(b.p.gersons@amc.uva.nl), Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 BC Amsterdam, Netherlands

Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 BC Amsterdam, Netherlands

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    StumbleUpon    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Articles

Coping with the aftermath of trauma: NICE guidelines on post-traumatic stress disorder have fundamental flaw

Derek A Summerfield
BMJ 2005 331: 50. [Extract] [Full Text]

The invention of post-traumatic stress disorder and the social usefulness of a psychiatric category

Derek Summerfield
BMJ 2001 322: 95-98. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Hobfoll, S. E., Watson, P., Bell, C. C., Bryant, R. A., Brymer, M. J., Friedman, M. J., Friedman, M., Gersons, B. P.R., Jong, J. T.V.M d., Layne, C. M., Maguen, S., Neria, Y., Norwood, A. E., Pynoos, R. S., Reissman, D., Ruzek, J. I., Shalev, A. Y., Solomon, Z., Steinberg, A. M., Ursano, R. J. (2009). Five Essential Elements of Immediate and Mid-Term Mass Trauma Intervention: Empirical Evidence. Focus 7: 221-242 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Summerfield, D. A (2005). Coping with the aftermath of trauma: NICE guidelines on post-traumatic stress disorder have fundamental flaw. BMJ 331: 50-50 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

A fundamental flaw in NICE guidelines

Derek A Summerfield
bmj.com, 12 May 2005 [Full text]

NICE PTSD guidelines - not easily applicable to refugees

William B Hopkins, et al.
bmj.com, 17 May 2005 [Full text]

Re: A fundamental flaw in NICE guidelines

Berthold PR Gersons, et al.
bmj.com, 28 May 2005 [Full text]

Online poll

Find out more here>> and here>>