Panel Discussion 21 - Whether and How to Incorporate PTSD Symptoms Resulting from Racism into the DSM and Empirically Supported Cognitive Behavioral Trauma-focused Treatments

THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED

A growing body of literature has demonstrated that racism is associated with PTSD symptoms. Notably, this association has been found in longitudinal research and when other traumatic events are statistically controlled for, providing evidence that racism is not merely a risk factor for PTSD, but rather is traumatizing in and of itself. Although some manifestations of racism (e.g., racially motivated physical assault) meet Criterion A for PTSD (i.e., exposure to death or threatened death, threatened or actual severe injury, or actual sexual violence), many other forms may not. Consequently, individuals experiencing PTSD symptoms associated with racism are likely to screen negative for PTSD and, thus, would not be referred to empirically supported cognitive behavioral trauma-focused treatments. For this reason, some scholars advocate for incorporating PTSD resulting from racism into the next version of the DSM. Others, however, do not, either expressing concern about expanding Criterion A and/or pathologizing an understandable response to racism. The panelists, who have expertise in racial trauma, PTSD, and cognitive behavioral trauma-focused therapies, will discuss the pros and cons of incorporating PTSD symptoms resulting from racism to the DSM as well as how it might be added (e.g., Should Criterion A for PTSD be expanded to better capture the insidious trauma of racism? Should a new diagnosis be proposed altogether?). Additionally, they will discuss the extent to which empirically supported cognitive behavioral trauma-focused treatments (e.g., Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy) are capable of addressing PTSD symptoms resulting from racism and what, if any, modifications may be necessary to provide effective care.