Cognitive behavioral treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder subsequentto a motor vehicle accident: A case example

A high-functioning 27-year old male with no prior psychiatric history devel oped posttraumatic stress disorder and marital problems subsequent to a mot or vehicle accident. His treatment with exposure-based behavior therapy was augmented by involving his wife in exposure however assignments. The addit ional inclusion of marital sessions that focused on increasing intimacy lev els appeared to facilitate recovery. Upon completion of treatment, the pati ent returned to baseline levels of functioning. At 16-week follow-up, the p atient remained asymptomatic. Treatment implications for the interconnectio n between PTSD symptoms and relationship difficulties are discussed.