Researchers from the University of Bielefeld in Germany compared the efficacy of two different treatments for children in a refugee camp in Sri Lanka with severe PTSD, in the acute aftermath of the Tsunami of 2004.

Thirty-one children were randomly assigned to one of two pragmatic, short-term interventions, delivered by trained local counselors: either 6 sessions of Narrative Exposure Therapy for children (KIDNET) or six sessions of meditation-relaxation (MED-RELAX).

I am a recovering PTSD and substance abuse survivor who now has 1.5 years of sobriety. I have also been nightmare free, relatively panic attack free, and flashback free for about a year, after 15 years of personal hell.

For this, I credit my compassionate and loving therapist most, but I feel the tools you've created and taught have been a Godsend.

Well, with my AA participation, I was asked to tell my story in the woman's prison. Afterwards, a number of the women shared that they too are experiencing nightmares on a daily basis, secondary to chronic abuse.

Question:  
I have a question. Obviously I made up a name because it is possible that a particular person could figure out who I am by reading my question [Ed. Note: We always change the name unless specifically asked not to].

My question: what suggestions do you have for a person in crisis who is diagnosed with PTSD and depression/anxiety, and now possibly RAD (reactive attachment disorder) and has to end therapy w/ my first and only therapist after almost two and a half years of meeting twice a week, due to financial issues.

Researchers from University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, UK, performed a systematic review of counseling interventions designed to prevent the acquisition of posttraumatic stress.  Earlier reviews had already established that Critical Incident Stress Debriefing has no effect on preventing PTS. Single session interventions were excluded for this review, which looked at other forms of multiple session early psychological intervention, begun within three months of a traumatic event, aimed at preventing PTS.

Question:
I'd like to ask Belleruth about the seeming correlation between trauma and fibromyalgia in women.  Has there been any research into this?

Answer:
Mary, I write about this in Invisible Heroes.  At the time of publication there were only 2 studies published, showing the link between fibromyalgia and traumatic stress – for men or women, although either condition hits more women than men.  Now there are too many studies to count, but you can start with a recent article by some Italian researchers, Stisi et al, titled Etiopathogenetic mechanisms of fibromyalgia syndrome. Robert Scaer was on to this years ago, and wrote about it in The Body Bears the Burden.  But the short answer is YES, there is a big, fat correlation.

Here is an explanatory (or at least I hope so) excerpt of the relevant material from my book (and for those of you who have the book, it’s in Chapter 5, The Physical Effects of Trauma, pages 78-80.

Researchers from the University of Louisville in Kentucky looked at whether Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can reduce stress arousal in patients suffering from fibromyalgia.

An earlier study by this principal investigator showed that MBSR reduced depressive symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia with gains maintained at two months follow-up (Sephton et al., Arthritis & Rheumatism, 57:77-85, 2007).

This second study explored the effects of MBSR on basal sympathetic (SNS) activation among women with fibromyalgia. Twenty-four participants were tested before and after MBSR for anxiety, depressive symptoms, and SNS activation.

Researchers from the Departments of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University at Norfolk, Virginia, examined the impact of a structured meditation program intervention on female detainees, comparing an experimental group and a control group for medical symptoms, emotions, and behaviors before and after the intervention.

A 2 1/2-hour meditation session was held once a week for 7 weeks. Study participants completed a medical symptoms checklist before the program began and after it ended.

This exquisitely written note was so moving and so heartfelt, it brought tears to the eyes of everyone on our staff.  We all say thank you for thanking us. 

Question:

As an Licensed Professional Counselor who has found great success with Guided Imagery AND the mother of a 26 year old Iraq War veteran who has suffered with severe PTSD for 4 years, I am curious what the VA and military are doing with Guided Imagery.  Since going to the VA and military installations were often "triggers" for my son, we opted for civilian practitioners and a civilian treatment center that provided an array of complimentary therapies including Guided Imagery.

At neither our VA or the military installations that we have HAD to go to, has any alternative/complimentary therapy been suggested...usually just meds and CBT.

Perhaps a "hint" of some of the wonderful stuff going on would be helpful to share on this newsletter...maybe even something I could encourage my son to explore.

Many thanks,
Cynde Collins-Clark, LPC
www.VeteransFamiliesUnited.org
Mom of OIF veteran