The effect of cognitive therapy on patients with posttraumatic stress disorder

Introduction: As, post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) could effect on life personal and social performance, so psychologists, psychiatrists and the other experts have focused on control and treatment of this disorder. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of cognitive therapy on patients with PTSD in Bonyad Shahid counseling Center in Sanandaj. Method: The design of the study was clinical trial design before and after. The sample of study was 40 patients with PTSD that selected by census sampling method in 2013. Instruments of study were posttraumatic stress disorder inventory by Norris and Reed (1997) and cognitive therapy. Results: The results of present study showed cognitive therapy had significant effect [t=5.47, df (38), p=0.000] on the treatment of patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. Results also indicated that cognitive therapy reduces Intrusive memories [t=.4.32, df (38), p=0.000] of the four components of interpersonal communication problems [t=.4.81, df(38), p=0.000], lack of emotional control [t=.4.32,df(38),p<0.006] and depression [t=.4.32, df(38), p&le0.006]. Conclusion: According to results from the present study, also the effect of cognitive therapy on patients with PTSD, it is recommended to use cognitive therapy technique in counselling centers and also psychiatric and psychological clinics.