Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:

The Basics in Cameroonian Refugees

This study is a review of the literature on the psychological issues faced by refugees to the United States and on empirically supported treatments with potential implication for Cameroonian refugees with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Relevant themes from the literature include: (a) historical perspectives; (b) the phenomenology of PTSD; (c) current treatments; (d) empirically supported treatments and evidence-based practices; (e) behavioral therapies that aim to reduce reactance to traumatic memories; (f) cognitive therapies focusing on the management of the appraisal of the trauma; (g) anxiety management therapies aimed at managing the anxiety evoked by traumatic memories; (h) eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR); and (i) culturally-relevant considerations. The writers original contribution to practice consists of adapted practice recommendations for the treatment of Cameroonian refugees with PTSD. They are intended for therapist use with Cameroonian refugees to the United States diagnosed with PTSD.