DEPRESSION SYMPTOM DISCONTINUITIES OVER THE COURSE OF TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER by STEPHANIE MARIE KELLER

by STEPHANIE MARIE KELLER Changes in symptoms during depression treatment occur discontinuously and such discontinuities predict better outcome (Hayes et al., 2007a). While depression commonly co-occurs with PTSD, we know little about how change unfolds in depression symptoms during PTSD treatment. This study examined transitions in depression symptoms during PTSD treatment, namely sudden gains and depression spikes. Social support was examined as a predictor of these symptom fluctuations. At pre-treatment, 200 participants with a primary diagnosis of PTSD completed measures of PTSD and depression severity, and social support. During 10 weeks of prolonged exposure or sertraline, depression was assessed. Overall, 18% of participants experienced a depression sudden gain and 22.5% experienced a transient depression spike. Higher negative trauma-related support was associated with experiencing a depression spike. Similar rates of depression discontinuities occurred between treatments. Sudden gains predicted better treatment outcome. Clinicians should be encouraged that transient depression worsenings were not associated with poorer outcome.