Experts in PTSD

Experts in PTSDOto Gordon Psy 496 January 29, 2015

Two PTSD ProfessionalsEdna Foa, PhDRoger Pitman, MDLicensed Psychologist and a Board Certified Expert in Forensic PsychologySpecializes in Combat TraumaExpert in Rape Trauma

Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School 150 publications on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Board-certified in psychiatry and forensic

The two professionals in PTSD are Edna Foa, PhD and Roger K. Pitman, MD. Foa is a licensed psychologist and a Board-Certified expert in forensic psychology. Pitman is a professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is board certified in psychiatry and forensics. 2Post Traumatic Stress DisorderPsychiatric DisorderCaused by military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault Nightmares, Flashbacks, Difficulty Sleeping

Post Traumatic Disorder is a psychiatric disorder that occurs when someone experiences extreme trauma when in military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, major accidents, and psychical or sexual assault (NDVA, 2007). When people suffer with PTSD they will experience all types of debilitating symptoms that negatively impact their lives. This includes nightmares, flashbacks, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite. The person with PTSD will relieve the symptoms by reliving the trauma which will cause them to become distressed, going places that cause the trauma to be relived, and experience emotions that cause flashbacks. 3Edna FOA, PhDVictim of or Witnessing Traumatic Event60% of all men will be traumatized50% of all women will be traumatizedHigh Rate of PTSD in Rape and CombatDifferent Degrees of TraumaParoxetine and Sertraline, and Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT).

Edna Foa is a licensed psychologist and board-certified forensic psychologist with over 20 years experience in the topic of trauma. In research conduct by Foa (2013) it was discovered that many epidemiological studies have come to the conclusion that 50% of men and 60% of women will experience trauma at some point in their lives. Foa (2013) finds that trauma comes in many different levels and can be the result of accidents, attacks, rapes, combat, etc. Foa also claims that the worst cases of PTSD will be in the form of rape or combat trauma. By her recommendation PTSD should be treated with a combination of medications, including paroxetine and sertraline, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). 4Roger K. Pitman, MDComplex Disease Difficult to TreatExposure to Multiple Events Increase Likelihood of SymptomsCausal Relationship between Employment StressTreatment Combination of Medication and Psychotherapy

Robert K. Pitman MD has conducted over 150 research studies in the area of trauma and PTSD. In his research Pitman (2010) finds that symptoms of PTSD can be revived when there is an exposure to multiple events. For example sounds and smells reminding the person of the trauma will increase the likelihood of symptoms. The research by Pitman also uncovered a causal relationship between employment stress and the sparking of symptoms of PTSD. The recommended treatment by Pitman is a combination of medication and psychotherapy. 5ComparisonEdna Foa, PhDRoger K. PitmanHigh Rate of PTSD in Rape and Combathttp://www.med.upenn.edu/ctsa/Treatment : Paroxetine and Sertraline, and Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT).

High Rate of PTSD in Soldiershttp://expertpages.com/details.php/4603_4717_565_121.htmPsychotherapy and Medications

Edna Foa and Robert Pitman are both experienced professionals with a great deal of knowledge in PTSD. Foa has 25 years experience treating soldier and children with PTSD. Pitman has 26 years in the field of PTSD and has military experience. Both believe that medications are effective half of the time and both believe therapy is necessary Foa employs cognitive behavioral therapy while Pitman supports psychotherapy for treatment. 6ReferencesThe CarlatPsychiaty Report. (2013). This Months Expert: Edna Foa, Ph.D., On Therapy for PTSD. Psych Central. Retrieved on January 29, 2015, from http://pro.psychcentral.com/this-months-expert-edna-foa-ph-d-on-therapy-for-ptsd/001981.htmlNebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs. (2007). What is PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)? Retrieved January 29, 2015 from http://www.ptsd.ne.gov/what-is-ptsd.htmlPitman, R. (2010). A Recent VA Rules Change and the Traumatic Event Requirement in PTSD, JAMA, 304(21): 2409-2410