Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality Pathology

Introduction. Patients with complex forms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may benefit from schema therapy. While a small number of studies point to the effectiveness of individual schema therapy in refugees with PTSD, no evidence on group schema therapy (GST) in refugees exists. To illustrat...

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Main Authors: Linda Verhaak, Jackie June ter Heide
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Psychiatry
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/8552659
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author Linda Verhaak
Jackie June ter Heide
author_facet Linda Verhaak
Jackie June ter Heide
author_sort Linda Verhaak
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Patients with complex forms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may benefit from schema therapy. While a small number of studies point to the effectiveness of individual schema therapy in refugees with PTSD, no evidence on group schema therapy (GST) in refugees exists. To illustrate and advocate for the use of GST in refugee patients with treatment-resistant PTSD and comorbid personality pathology, a case report is presented. Presentation. The case concerned the treatment of an East African female refugee who survived sexual and physical violence and loss as a child, as the hostage of a rebel army, and as a victim of human trafficking. She was diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Trauma-focused therapy was hampered by insufficient treatment attendance due to current stress factors and early destructive coping strategies. One year of GST enabled the patient to overcome treatment-undermining patterns and benefit from subsequent trauma-focused therapy. Conclusion. This case suggests that GST may have the potential to improve treatment adherence and the effectiveness of trauma-focused treatment in complex refugee patients. Clinical impressions need to be confirmed in a study that examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of GST in refugees with treatment-resistant PTSD and personality pathology.
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spelling doaj-art-23d8c68b129441f08e12b7af9f411a532025-02-03T01:29:31ZengWileyCase Reports in Psychiatry2090-68382024-01-01202410.1155/2024/8552659Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality PathologyLinda Verhaak0Jackie June ter Heide1ARQ Psychotrauma Expert GroupARQ Psychotrauma Expert GroupIntroduction. Patients with complex forms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may benefit from schema therapy. While a small number of studies point to the effectiveness of individual schema therapy in refugees with PTSD, no evidence on group schema therapy (GST) in refugees exists. To illustrate and advocate for the use of GST in refugee patients with treatment-resistant PTSD and comorbid personality pathology, a case report is presented. Presentation. The case concerned the treatment of an East African female refugee who survived sexual and physical violence and loss as a child, as the hostage of a rebel army, and as a victim of human trafficking. She was diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Trauma-focused therapy was hampered by insufficient treatment attendance due to current stress factors and early destructive coping strategies. One year of GST enabled the patient to overcome treatment-undermining patterns and benefit from subsequent trauma-focused therapy. Conclusion. This case suggests that GST may have the potential to improve treatment adherence and the effectiveness of trauma-focused treatment in complex refugee patients. Clinical impressions need to be confirmed in a study that examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of GST in refugees with treatment-resistant PTSD and personality pathology.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/8552659
spellingShingle Linda Verhaak
Jackie June ter Heide
Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality Pathology
Case Reports in Psychiatry
title Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality Pathology
title_full Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality Pathology
title_fullStr Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality Pathology
title_full_unstemmed Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality Pathology
title_short Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality Pathology
title_sort group schema therapy for refugees with treatment resistant ptsd and personality pathology
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/8552659
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