PTSD Psychological Rx — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ

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EasyAnxiety & Stress-Related DisordersPTSD Psychological RxMRCPsych Paper B

An adult is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder 6 weeks after a traumatic event. They have no preference for a particular form of therapy. According to NICE, which psychological intervention should be offered?

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Correct answer: C — Individual trauma-focused CBT

The correct answer is C, individual trauma-focused CBT. NICE recommends offering this to adults with PTSD or clinically important PTSD symptoms who present more than 1 month after trauma. Valid approaches include cognitive processing therapy, cognitive therapy for PTSD, narrative exposure therapy and prolonged exposure therapy. At 1–3 months after a non-combat trauma, EMDR may instead be considered if the person specifically prefers it; that qualification is absent here. Group trauma-focused CBT is not the recommended treatment format for an individual adult with established PTSD. Applied relaxation, family therapy and CBT directed only at depressive symptoms do not process the traumatic memories and meanings central to evidence-based PTSD treatment. Symptom-targeted CBT is generally reserved for people unable or unwilling to engage in trauma-focused treatment or for residual symptoms afterward.

Reference: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Post-traumatic stress disorder (NG116), recommendations 1.6.16–1.6.23. 2018, updated 2024. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116/chapter/recommendations