PTSD and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Events that lead to traumatic brain injury are often also psychologically traumatic. Addressing a growing need among mental health practitioners, this authoritative book brings together experts in both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Chapters present empirically based best practices for conceptualization, assessment, and intervention. The book also addresses the biological and psychosocial mechanisms by which PTSD and mTBI complicate each other; management of commonly associated conditions, including chronic pain and substance abuse; special considerations in military contexts; and possible ways to improve the structure and cost-effectiveness of providing care in this challenging area.

Jennifer J. Vasterling, PhD, is Chief of Psychology at VA Boston Healthcare System. She is also a clinical neuropsychologist, an active researcher in the VA National Center for PTSD, and Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Vasterling is a recipient of the Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Science of Trauma Psychology from the American Psychological Association, Division 56 (Division of Trauma Psychology). She is an authority on the neuropsychological features of PTSD and is known for her work examining the cognitive and emotional changes that accompany war-zone deployment. Richard A. Bryant, PhD, is Scientia Professor of Psychology at the University of New South Wales. He is also an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow and Director of the Traumatic Stress Clinic at Westmead Hospital in Sydney. Dr. Bryant is a recipient of honors including the Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science Award from the Australian Psychological Society and the Robert S. Laufer Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). His work focuses on the intersection of PTSD and traumatic brain injury, the assessment and treatment of acute trauma reactions, and the cognitive and biological mechanisms underpinning traumatic stress. Terence M. Keane, PhD, is Director of the VA National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Sciences Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, where he is also Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development. He is Assistant Dean for Research and Professor and Vice-Chairman of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Keane is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the ISTSS, among numerous other awards. He developed many of the most widely used PTSD assessment measures and is an authority on the cognitive-behavioral treatment of PTSD.

I. Introduction 1. Understanding the Interface of Traumatic Stress and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Background and Conceptual Framework, Jennifer J. Vasterling, Richard A. Bryant, and Terence M. Keane II. Clinical Presentations and Mechanisms 2. Understanding Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Neuropathology and Neuroimaging, Erin D. Bigler and William L. Maxwell 3. A Biopsychosocial Conceptualization of Poor Outcome from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Grant L. Iverson 4. Understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Implications for Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Jasmeet Pannu Hayes and Mark W. Gilbertson 5. Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury–Associated Neurocognitive Alterations on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Mieke Verfaellie, Melissa M. Amick, and Jennifer J. Vasterling III. Commonly Associated Conditions 6. Chronic Pain, John D. Otis, Catherine B. Fortier, and Terence M. Keane 7. Substance Use Disorder, Lisa M. Najavits, Jennifer Highley, Sara L. Dolan, and Frank A. Fee IV. Clinical Management 8. Assessment, Erin W. Ulloa, Brian P. Marx, Rodney D. Vanderploeg, and Jennifer J. Vasterling 9. Assessment in Contexts That Threaten Response Validity, Jon D. Elhai, Jerry J. Sweet, Leslie M. Guidotti Breting, and Danny Kaloupek 10. Treatment of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Jennie Ponsford 11. Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Richard A. Bryant and Brett T. Litz 12. Implications for Service Delivery in the Military, Richard A. Bryant, Carl A. Castro, and Grant L. Iverson 13. Estimating the Costs of Care, Ann Hendricks, Maxine Krengel, Katherine M. Iverson, Rachel Kimerling, Carlos Tun, Jomana Amara, and Henry L. Lew V. Conclusions 14. Understanding the Interface of Traumatic Stress and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Future Directions in Science and Clinical Practice, Jennifer J. Vasterling, Richard A. Bryant, and Terence M. Keane