Table 2 Perceived helpfulness of interventions for PTSD among study participants (n = 150)
Interventions | Helpful | Harmful | Neither | Most helpfula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Treatments and activities | ||||
Reading Koran or Bible | 62 | 0 | 38.0 | 6 |
Finding new hobbies | 86 | 0 | 14 | 18 |
Psychotherapy focusing on relationships with others | 64 | 2.7 | 33.3 | 1.3 |
Prayer session | 37.3 | 10.7 | 52 | 1.3 |
Improving diet or exercise | 96.7 | 0 | 3.3 | 16 |
Psychotherapy focusing on past | 86.7 | 3.3 | 10 | 14 |
Relaxation | 63.3 | 2 | 34.7 | 2 |
Psychotherapy focusing on changing thoughts and behaviours | 84 | 1.3 | 14.7 | 14.7 |
Getting information about problem | 86.7 | 1.3 | 12.0 | 13.3 |
Reading a self-help book | 32.7 | 10.7 | 32.7 | 0 |
Trying to deal with problem alone | 7.3 | 76.7 | 16.0 | 0 |
Talking about problem | 56.7 | 10.0 | 33.3 | 9.3 |
Admission to a psychiatric hospital | 38 | 28.7 | 33.3 | 2.7 |
Traditional therapies | 37.3 | 18 | 44.7 | 1.3 |
Hypnosis | 23.3 | 8 | 68.7 | 0 |
Drinking alcohol to relax | 0 | 12.7 | 87.3 | 0 |
Medications | ||||
Vitamins and minerals | 76 | 2 | 22 | 33.3 |
Herbal medicines | 52.7 | 6.7 | 40.7 | 33.3 |
Antidepressants | 40 | 13.3 | 46.7 | 20 |
Medication to help relax | 32.7 | 37.3 | 30 | 13.3 |
People | ||||
Psychiatrist | 99.3 | 0 | 0.7 | 43.3 |
Family member | 50.7 | 4 | 45.3 | 14 |
GP | 90.7 | 0.7 | 8.7 | 15.3 |
Psychologist | 98.7 | 0 | 1.3 | 14.7 |
Religious leader | 30.7 | 11.3 | 58 | 4 |
Close female friend | 42.7 | 4 | 53.3 | 2 |
Afghan social group/club | 58 | 5.3 | 36.7 | 1.3 |
Close male friend | 41.3 | 6.7 | 52 | 1.3 |
Community mental health worker | 87.3 | 0.7 | 12 | 2.7 |
Community religious organization | 41.3 | 8 | 50.7 | 1.3 |
Telephone counselling line | 24.7 | 3.3 | 72 | 0 |