Trauma to the Psyche and Soma: A Case Study of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Comorbid Problems Arising From a Road Traffic Collision

Randomized controlled studies have shown that cognitive-behavioral therapies are effective for treating various forms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with most research focusing on combat or sexual-assault-related PTSD. A challenge currently facing researchers and practitioners is to develop specialized protocols for treating other forms of PTSD, such as PTSD arising from road traffic collisions (RTCs), which is commonly associated with chronic pain and sometimes with other problems such as head injury. The purpose of this case conference is to consider a case of RTC-related PTSD. Our opening paper describes the presenting features of the case. The subsequent commentaries discuss assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment issues. The concluding paper provides a synthesis of the commentators’ viewpoints, along with a description of the actual treatment and outcome, and a discussion of ways in which cognitive-behavioral treatments might be applied in similar cases.