Anxiety Reduction Treatment for Acute Trauma

The purpose of the proposed research is to pilot a behavioral intervention specifically designed to reduce the symptoms of peritraumatic panic, in order to reduce the likelihood of subsequent PTSD. The investigators have developed the Anxiety Reduction Treatment for Acute Trauma (ARTAT), a one-session intervention targeting at-risk individuals (those continuing to experience peritraumatic panic following a trauma) and enhance self-efficacy. The intervention provides education about common responses to trauma in order to normalize symptoms and teaches individuals anxiety management techniques such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation. ARTAT specifically avoids encouraging people to process the trauma (given evidence that this may enhance arousal). This study is a randomized controlled trial of a single session 60- minute Anxiety Reduction Treatment for Acute Trauma (ARTAT) administered during Emergency Department (ED) admission to patients presenting with anxiety following traumatic exposure. Thirty-six participants will be enrolled over a 12-month period (18 receiving ARTAT and 18 receiving TAU). The study will target anxious arousal in patients immediately (1 to 8 hours) following a trauma. Participants will be recruited from among patients who present in the Bellevue Emergency Department for treatment of an injury sustained in a traumatic event (accident, assault) as long as injuries do not preclude participation. Participants included in the study will have experienced a trauma within 8 hours and presenting with signs of a strong risk factor for PTSD: peritraumatic panic (severe psychological and physiological anxiety symptoms such as fear of dying, fear of losing emotional control, tachycardia, sweating, shaking and dissociation symptoms such as derealisation and depersonalization that occur during and immediately following a trauma. Following the initial assessment, eligible participants will be randomized to receive the one-hour anxiety-reduction intervention designed to reduce anxiety and panic symptoms through education and anxiety y management skills or the TAU. The clinician administered and self-report assessments will be conducted at screening, baseline, post-treatment, and at a one-month and three-month follow-up.