Written exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress symptoms and suicide risk: Design and methodology of a randomized controlled trial with patients on a military psychiatric inpatient unit

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2021.106564
• Publication Date: 2021-09-05T21:24:32Z
• Authors: Brian P. Marx; Brooke A. Fina; Denise M. Sloan; Stacey Young-McCa...; Katherine A. Dond...; Hannah C. Tyler; Abby E. Blankenship; Christian C. Schr...; Alexander M. Kaplan; Vanessa R. Green; Craig J. Bryan; Willie J. Hale; Jim Mintz; Alan L. Peterson
• Keywords: Exposure therapy; Inpatient care

Studies of active duty service members have shown that military personnel who screen positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more than twice as likely to make a suicide attempt. Evidence-based PTSD treatments can reduce suicidal ideation; however, it be challenging provide evidence-based, trauma-focused, treatment high-risk patients on an acute psychiatric inpatient unit because the priority care is stabilization. Treatment requires time and resources typically afforded during hospitalizations. Written Exposure Therapy five-session, trauma-focused may overcome implementation challenges providing in setting. This paper describes design, methodology, protocol randomized clinical trial. The goal study determine if five 60-min sessions enhanced with Crisis Response Planning risk reduces presence, frequency, severity ideation, behavior, rehospitalization, non-suicidal, self-injurious behaviors. also will Suicide symptom among members, veterans, other adult beneficiaries admitted comorbid ideation or attempt symptoms compared Usual. designed enhance delivery those crisis symptoms.