Treatment of reactivated post-traumatic stress disorder - Imaginal exposure in an older adult with multiple traumas

A single-case analysis was used to assess the effects of imaginal exposure in a 57-year-old woman suffering from current and reactivated post-traumati c stress disorder(PTSD) following a transient ischemic attack. The client's responses to self-reported depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms were rep eatedly recorded during four phases: (a) initial psychotherapy, (b) imagina l exposure, (c) skill generalization, and (d) fading of treatment. In addit ion to dramatic reduction in levels of depression and anxiety, results show ed a significant improvement in PTSD symptoms relating to recent and remote traumatic experiences. Improvements were maintained approximately 16 month s after imaginal exposure ended, despite ongoing external stressors.