A new paper published by Dr Thomas Richardson and colleagues at Universities of Southampton, Cardiff and Sheffield has shown that people from poorer or deprived backgrounds need more support to recover from post traumatic stress disorder (PSTD)
Poorer neighbourhoods and debt are linked to an increased risk of a range of mental health problems and appear to increase the risk of developing of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous research has shown that people living in more deprived areas have more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety after treatment in England’s NHS Talking Therapies services.
The publication in Cambridge University Press used data from the MyBills study involving Professor Dianna Smith. It analysed 138 referrals to talking therapies for PTSD and mapped the post codes of service users and ranked them according to a nationally recognised measure of deprivation.
"This study suggests for the first time that those attending NHS Talking Therapies services for PTSD treatment experience less of a reduction in symptoms post-treatment if they are from areas of high socioeconomic deprivation."
The report makes several recommendations to talking therapy services (often known as IAPT):
Clinicians should be aware that those from more deprived areas may be less likely to benefit from PTSD treatment.
Debt and money advice could be integrated within existing NHS Talking Therapies services.
It is important that psychological services consider local contextual drivers for presenting problems and ensure the number of sessions offered are adequate to support clients fully. Finances and living situation should be asked about during assessment for PTSD therapy.
The research also included mental health professionals from Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust. One of them was ARC Wessex intern Dr Elle Gray a Clinical Associate Psychologist.
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