The purpose of this study is to compare two kinds of therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): exposure therapy (ET) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). The results of this study will allow us to see if IPT and ET are equally effective in treating PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma, with the long-term goal of making PTSD treatment effective for as many people as possible.
English-speaking
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) survivors, with MST defined as actual or threatened sexual violence, from Vietnam era to current Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation New Dawn
Diagnosed with PTSD consequent to MST, with a minimum CAPS score > 40
Medically stable at time of study enrollment (for persons with chronic injuries and that any disability present does not prevent attendance of weekly outpatient therapy sessions)
Lifetime or current diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder
Participation in a clinical trial or concurrent evidence-based treatment for MST-related psychiatric conditions or PTSD during the previous 3 months
Current evidence of significant unstable medical illness or organic brain impairment such that the patient could not attend sessions regularly or complete assessments
Patients who in the investigator's judgment pose a current homicidal or suicidal risk
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Lead sponsor
United States Department of Defense
Collaborator