Context: In addition to the symptoms of hyperarousal and avoidance that characterise a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), veterans with chronic PTSD also experience high rates of co-morbid anxiety disorders, such as panic, and social phobia. However, it has been observed that current CBT-based treatment modalities, which frequently include exposure tasks and the processing of traumatic memories, may not adequately address the complex and diverse range of anxiety symptoms experienced by veterans.
Objectives: The primary goal of the study was to evaluate the benefits of a ten-week outpatient Anxiety Management Program on measures of anxiety, and core PTSD symptoms, in a sample of veterans with chronic PTSD. A secondary goal of the study was to explore the effect of program participation on levels of co-morbid depression and alcohol use.
Key messages: In a sample of 20 veterans with chronic PTSD, a comparison of pre- and end-program measures revealed a significant reduction in core PTSD symptoms, depression, alcohol use, and state and trait anxiety. The major outcomes were a significant reduction in total PTSD symptoms, as measured by the PCL (pre-program M = 66.25, end-program M = 57.90: p = 0.001), and trait anxiety (pre-program M =60.74, end-program M = 52.75: p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Despite the small sample size, and absence of available longer term follow-up measures, it is suggested that an intervention strategy targeted towards the management of anxiety may result in specific short-term benefits for veterans with chronic PTSD.
