From Neurobiology to Treatment: PTSD in Refugees and Other Special Civilian Populations

Despite high prevalence of PTSD, and availability of relatively effective psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions, a large number of patients who are in psychiatric care, are undiagnosed or do not receive proper care. Furthermore, residency trainings often have minimal focus on diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of trauma and PTSD. This presentation will briefly review clinically relevant aspects of neurobiology of trauma and PTSD (such as cue generalization, context processing, brain and bodily changes). How these aspects can inform more successful therapy, and choice of medications will be explained. The presentation also present diagnostic pearls and discuss treatment of PTSD in diverse civilian populations as well as reviews the evidence-based available and novel treatments for PTSD in civilians and then explore the art of working with these populations. 

This session address treatments that are commonly used, but are not supported by research evidence, or might be harmful. I will discuss challenges specific to diverse groups of traumatized people (refugees, victims of torture and human trafficking, and first responders) and ways of dealing with them, such as stigma, cultural differences, control, diagnostic mistakes, medication side effects, polypharmacy, and resistance to receiving treatment. Patients’ perception of treatment, and non-biological roles of medications (e.g. transitional object) will be discussed also. I will also explain ways of improving adherence to treatment and practical tips on improving patients’ function including lifestyle changes. Real life cases will be presented and discussed with the group for this presentation.

This session was recorded live at the 2022 Annual ADAA Conference in Denver, CO. Please note this session is not available for continuing education credits.