Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and PTSD

The main aim of this review paper is twofold, to present findings as empirical evidence that supports the efficacy of Rationale Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to propose some novel ideas based on the idea of integration. REBT theory appears very well suited to studying posttraumatic stress responses as the theory suggests that such responses should not arise simply as a result of experiencing a traumatic life event, but rather that posttraumatic stress disorder will arise as a consequence of evaluating traumatic life events in a dysfunctional manner. Demandingness beliefs, awfulizing beliefs, low frustration tolerance beliefs and depreciation beliefs are therefore theorized to be critical cognitive vulnerability factors in the development and maintenance of severe and debilitating posttraumatic stress responses. Alternatively, the theory predicts that responding to such traumatic life events in a rational manner, exemplified by preference beliefs, non-awfulizing beliefs, high frustration tolerance beliefs, and acceptance beliefs, will mitigate against the onset of severe posttraumatic stress responses. REBT posits that humans are fundamentally inclined toward growth, actualization and rationality; yet at the same time humans experience opposing irrational dysfunctional tendencies. Post-traumatic growth (PTG) in the frame of traumatic experiences from a REBT perspective will also be discussed.