Group-based Stabilization and Skill Training for Patients With Lasting Posttraumatic Reactions in Mental Health Care

This study evaluates the addition of a group based stabilization and skill-training intervention to individual out-patient treatment for long lasting post-traumatic reactions. Half of the participants will receive the combined treatment while the other half will receive individual treatment as usual.

Many patients in mental health care have previously experienced life-stressors and traumatic events that are related to the problems they seek treatment for. Although the diagnostic labels vary, the clinical picture often demonstrates long lasting complex psychological and somatic post-traumatic symptoms such as avoidance, bodily activation, difficulties in regulating emotions and in relationships with others, impaired quality of life and reduced level of function. Patients often receive long-term individual therapy in general mental health care, occasionally without clinically significant improvement. Still, they continue treatment due to high symptom pressure and low level of functioning. The study targets a novel intervention which tests the effect of adding a group based stabilization and skill training intervention to conventional individual treatment among 160 patients already receiving treatment in a community mental health hospital. Change in variables covering mental health issues, functional impairment, well-being, use of hospital services and drug prescriptions will be examined, as well as markers of inflammation found in sera before and after intervention. The purpose is to develop better and more effective treatment options for a large number of patients who receive mental health care in community mental health hospitals.