PTSD treatment in South Africa explained

PTSD treatment In South Africa arose to treat the victims of physical violence and sexual abuse, who often display symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).^[1]

PTSD incidence

Women may be especially likely to suffer from PTSD as a result of sexual abuse or contracting HIV.^[2] PTSD in turn may prevent women from seeking HIV treatment.^[2] Rates of HIV in South Africa are high.^[2] PTSD in a pregnant woman may lead to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.^[3] Childhood trauma may also increase the risk of PTSD.^[3] This trauma may be physical, sexual, or emotional in nature.^[3] Rates of crime and violence are high in many poor areas of South African cities.^[4] Exposure to violence and drug abuse leads to increased PTSD among South African men, and this in turn leads to increased rates of violent crime among young South African men due to increased aggression.^[4] PTSD may also further exacerbate drug abuse due to attempts to self-medicate.^[4]

Treatment

Treatment methods include cognitive therapy.^[5] Alternatively, a multi-modal integrated system of treatment can be employed.^[6] New treatment systems may involve using a grading system which allows the person to receive a letter ranging from A-E which determines the severity of that specific persons treatment. Other treatment options involve “virtual reality simulations” to make it seem more realistic and “to beef up their effectiveness”.^[7] ”Stress-inoculation training, another form of CBT, where practitioners teach clients techniques to manage and reduce anxiety, such as breathing, muscle relaxation and positive self-talk”.^[7] There are many different up and coming treatment options for those suffering with PTSD, each needing their own specific treatment type due to their severity. With more research being drawn to PTSD, it is becoming a more viewed topic by many.

See also

• Mental health care in South Africa
• Sexual violence in South Africa

Notes and References

1. Jalal . Baland . Kruger . Qunessa . Hinton . Devon E. . Adaptation of CBT for Traumatized South African Indigenous Groups: Examples from Multiplex CBT for PTSD . Cognitive and Behavioral Practice . May 2018 . 25 . 2 . 335–349 . 10.1016/j.cbpra.2017.07.003 .
2. Sikkema . Kathleen J. . Mulawa . Marta I. . Robertson . Corne . Watt . Melissa H. . Ciya . Nonceba . Stein . Dan J. . Cherenack . Emily M. . Choi . Karmel W. . Kombora . Matapelo . Joska . John A. . Improving AIDS Care After Trauma (ImpACT): Pilot Outcomes of a Coping intervention Among HIV-Infected Women with Sexual Trauma in South Africa . AIDS and Behavior . March 2018 . 22 . 3 . 1039–1052 . 10.1007/s10461-017-2013-1 . 29270789 . 5828984 .
3. Choi . Karmel W. . Sikkema . Kathleen J. . Velloza . Jennifer . Marais . Adele . Jose . Cicyn . Stein . Dan J. . Watt . Melissa H. . Joska . John A. . Maladaptive coping mediates the influence of childhood trauma on depression and PTSD among pregnant women in South Africa . Archives of Women's Mental Health . October 2015 . 18 . 5 . 731–738 . 10.1007/s00737-015-0501-8 . 25578632 . 4500677 .
4. Sommer . Jessica . Hinsberger . Martina . Elbert . Thomas . Holtzhausen . Leon . Kaminer . Debra . Seedat . Soraya . Madikane . Solomon . Weierstall . Roland . The interplay between trauma, substance abuse and appetitive aggression and its relation to criminal activity among high-risk males in South Africa . Addictive Behaviors . January 2017 . 64 . 29–34 . 10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.08.008 . 27540760 . 5102240 .
5. Padmanabhanunni . Anita . A review of the transportability of cognitive therapy for the treatment of PTSD among South African rape survivors . Health SA Gesondheid . December 2017 . 22 . 268–274 . 10.1016/j.hsag.2017.01.005 . free . 10566/3965 . free .
6. Edwards . David J. A. . Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in South Africa: An Integrative Model Grounded in Case-Based Research . Journal of Psychology in Africa . January 2009 . 19 . 2 . 189–198 . 10.1080/14330237.2009.10820278 . 146169428 . 10.1.1.834.6137 .
7. DeAngelis