[Debriefing of psychically traumatized persons]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 1997 Jun 14;141(24):1180-2.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

Debriefing involves the expert psychological care of victims directly following a calamity. It includes seven items: introduction, facts, thoughts, emotions, symptoms, education, and conclusion. It was thought that early debriefing after a calamity would reduce posttraumatic stress disorder later on, but controlled trials have yielded equivocal results; in some the stress disorder was even more severe in debriefed persons. People with an adequate social network may not need debriefing.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crisis Intervention*
  • Humans
  • Psychotherapy / methods
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / prevention & control*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology