Oxford University Press Complementary and Alternative Medicine for PTSD

The number of individuals diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder has increased in the past decade, not only in the military and veteran population but within the civilian population as well. Traditional treatments such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy have provided less-than-ideal results proving to be less effective when used alone to treat the disorder. Complementary and Alternative Medicine for PTSD supplements these traditional treatments, using new and effective techniques to fill the therapeutic void. The alternative therapies covered include acceptance and commitment therapy, acupuncture, alternative pharmacology, canine assistive therapy, family focused interventions, internet and computer-based therapy, meditation techniques, mobile applications, recreational therapy, resilience training, transracial magnetic stimulation, virtual reality exposure therapy, and yoga. Each chapter delivers the most up-to-date understanding of neurobiology, best practices, and key points for clinicians and patients considering inclusion of these treatments in patient care. Drs. David Benedek and Gary Wynn offer insight into the future of complementary and alternative medicine, shining a light onto how these techniques fit into clinical practice to create the most beneficial treatments for the patient. This book is both an essential resource and practical guide to everyday clinical interactions. It is a necessary addition to the medical library for students and senior clinicians alike. Review Wynn and Benedek's book on Complementary and Alternative Medicine for PTSD represents a landmark in trauma publishing. Never has there been such a thorough presentation of the use of CAM treatment of PTSD. Clinicians who oversell the effectiveness of the CAM techniques will be embarrassed by theclear lack of evidence for many CAM approaches, while those who seek to provide the best care possible to their patients will be encouraged to continue the necessary research required to change clinical practice. Wynn and Benedek's book on CAM for PTSD provides a much needed ballast towards ensuringclinicians provide the best care currently available for survivors of trauma, including sexual assault and combat-related PTSD. They are to be commended. --Carl A. Castro, PhD; Director and Assistant Professor; Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired); Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans andMilitary Families (CIR); USC School of Social Work; University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CARecognizing the increasing need for more consolidated information on Complimentary Alternative Medicine for the treatment of PTSD, Doctors Benedek and Wynn have contributed a ground-breaking and invaluable textbook for scholars and practitioners alike. The depth and comprehensiveness of thismust-have desk reference is noteworthy, and the openness to additional research where robust evidence is currently lacking is a breath of fresh air. This book should go a long way toward contributing to better understanding of alternative modalities for addressing PTSD, and to helping mitigate PTSDrelated crisis among our military service men and women and their families. --Keith G. Tidball, PhD; Senior Extension Associate; Department of Natural Resources; Cornell University; Ithaca, NYKudos to Gary Wynn and David Benedek for their groundbreaking book on the use of integrative, complementary, and alternative approaches for PTSD. Inspired by the needs, strengths, and suffering of patients following traumatic experiences, the authors and contributors of this work make a clear andcompelling case for healing professionals to embrace a more comprehensive approach to the management of PTSD. Thus one must also credit America's sons and daughters in uniform and their families for their collective service and sacrifice, which no doubt catalyzed the conception of this timely workand enriched its content. This book and the decades of courageous service and selfl