Case Study of Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Comorbid Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

This case report reviews the successful implementation of prolonged exposure therapy with an active duty service member with combat-related PTSD and a co-occurring history of mild traumatic brain injury. Very few modifications were made to the treatment protocol to accommodate the patient's postconcussive symptoms. Posttreatment assessments indicated the absence of a PTSD diagnosis at posttreatment through the 6-month follow-up and then the return of a PTSD diagnosis at the 1-year follow-up. This case report demonstrates the potential complexities of treating comorbid PTSD and traumatic brain injury.