Jeffrey M. Lating – författare

The nosological roots of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be traced back to th~American Psychiatric Association's DSM-I entry of gross stress reaction, as published in 1952. Yet the origins of the current enthusi­ asm with regard to post-traumatic stress can be traced back to 1980, which marked the emergence of the term post-traumatic stress disorder in the DSM­ III. This reflected the American Psychiatric Association's acknowledgment of post-traumatic stress as a discrete, phenomenologically unique, and reli­ able psychopathological entity at a time in American history when such recognition had important social, political, and psychiatric implications. Clearly, prior to DSM-I the lack of a generally accepted terminology did little to augment the disabling effects that psychological traumatization could engender. Nor did the subsequent provision of an official diagnostic label alone render substantial ameliorative qualities. Nevertheless, the post­ Vietnam DSM-III recognition of PTSD did herald a dramatic increase in research and clinical discovery. The American Red Cross acknowledged the need to establish disaster mental health services, the American Psychological Association urged its members to form disaster mental health networks, and the Veterans Administration established a national study center for PTSD.

The nosological roots of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be traced back to th~American Psychiatric Association's DSM-I entry of gross stress reaction, as published in 1952. Yet the origins of the current enthusi­ asm with regard to post-traumatic stress can be traced back to 1980, which marked the emergence of the term post-traumatic stress disorder in the DSM­ III. This reflected the American Psychiatric Association's acknowledgment of post-traumatic stress as a discrete, phenomenologically unique, and reli­ able psychopathological entity at a time in American history when such recognition had important social, political, and psychiatric implications. Clearly, prior to DSM-I the lack of a generally accepted terminology did little to augment the disabling effects that psychological traumatization could engender. Nor did the subsequent provision of an official diagnostic label alone render substantial ameliorative qualities. Nevertheless, the post­ Vietnam DSM-III recognition of PTSD did herald a dramatic increase in research and clinical discovery. The American Red Cross acknowledged the need to establish disaster mental health services, the American Psychological Association urged its members to form disaster mental health networks, and the Veterans Administration established a national study center for PTSD.

Over a decade has passed since the first edition of this critically acclaimed volume was published. Much is new, but much has remained the same. The reader will find that the primary efferent biological mechanisms of the stress response are largely the same as described in 1989. This underscores the br- liance of Selye, Cannon, Mason, Gellhorn, and Levi as they sought to elu- date the anatomical and physiological constituents of human stress. New information has been generated regarding the microanatomy, biochemistry, and genetic aspects of the human stress response. Furthermore, the anatomy and physiology of posttraumatic stress has been more thoroughly elucidated. The important role of cognitive processes in the determination of sub- quent stress arousal remains underscored and has been empirically validated by subsequent research (Smith, Everly, & Johns, 1992, 1993). The “redisc- ery” of the importance of positive psychology and optimism is consistent with our earlier etiological emphasis upon the cognitive–affective domain in the overall phenomenology of human stress.

Learn the essential skills of psychological first aid from the experts—the creators of the Johns Hopkins RAPID PFA method.Psychological first aid, or PFA, is designed to mitigate the effects of acute stress and trauma and assist those in crisis to cope effectively. PFA can be applied in emergencies, including disasters, terrorist attacks, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In the second edition of this essential guide, George S. Everly, Jr., and Jeffrey M. Lating draw on their experiences in Kuwait after the Gulf War, in New York City after the September 11 attacks, and during the COVID-19 pandemic to describe the principles and practices of PFA in an easy-to-follow, prescriptive, and practical manner. Informed by current events, the second edition includes updated chapters as well as three completely new chapters on • cultural awareness• PFA considerations with children• the use of PFA to facilitate community mental health and resilienceAimed at mental health practitioners, first responders, and global health disaster teams such as Médecins Sans Frontières and the World Health Organization, but also beneficial to those with little or no previous mental health training, The Johns Hopkins Guide to Psychological First Aid thoroughly explains RAPID PFA. RAPID, a unique evidence-informed and evidence-based PFA method, follows a set of easily understood principles. In each chapter, Everly and Lating—who have traveled nationally and internationally to teach the RAPID PFA model in numerous public health, fire, police, military, business, and faith-based settings—provide a step-by-step approach and include a key point summary. A unifying case exemplifies each phase of the RAPID PFA model in an ongoing dialogue that presents ideal PFA responses, examples of common mistakes, and various outcomes.

A practical guide for how to offer compassionate, effective support during times of emotional crisis and acute distress.The Johns Hopkins Guide to Everyday Psychological First Aid equips readers with the tools to respond effectively and compassionately to emotional crises—whether they unfold in a home, workplace, school, or public setting. Based on decades of research, experience, and real-world examples, George S. Everly, Jr, and Jeffrey M. Lating present a streamlined, accessible version of the Johns Hopkins RAPID model of psychological first aid, designed specifically for everyday use by adults without formal training in mental health.This guide empowers people to step in when someone is struggling—to listen, stabilize apparent distress, and offer effective, meaningful support. Offering advice and practical coping techniques for a variety of situations—like helping a stranger in a moment of panic or responding to the grief of a friend—the scenarios and checklists throughout the book help readers navigate some of life's most difficult moments with clarity and care. This practical manual speaks to a world facing rising anxiety, loneliness, trauma, and loss by offering a simple, evidence-informed method for fostering resilience and restoring connection.Everly and Lating emphasize that while no one can say the perfect thing in a crisis, everyone can learn how to offer compassion and help when it matters most. By making psychological first aid as accessible as physical first aid, this guide acts as an essential toolkit for being there when someone needs you most.

A practical guide for how to offer compassionate, effective support during times of emotional crisis and acute distress.The Johns Hopkins Guide to Everyday Psychological First Aid equips readers with the tools to respond effectively and compassionately to emotional crises—whether they unfold in a home, workplace, school, or public setting. Based on decades of research, experience, and real-world examples, George S. Everly, Jr, and Jeffrey M. Lating present a streamlined, accessible version of the Johns Hopkins RAPID model of psychological first aid, designed specifically for everyday use by adults without formal training in mental health.This guide empowers people to step in when someone is struggling—to listen, stabilize apparent distress, and offer effective, meaningful support. Offering advice and practical coping techniques for a variety of situations—like helping a stranger in a moment of panic or responding to the grief of a friend—the scenarios and checklists throughout the book help readers navigate some of life's most difficult moments with clarity and care. This practical manual speaks to a world facing rising anxiety, loneliness, trauma, and loss by offering a simple, evidence-informed method for fostering resilience and restoring connection.Everly and Lating emphasize that while no one can say the perfect thing in a crisis, everyone can learn how to offer compassion and help when it matters most. By making psychological first aid as accessible as physical first aid, this guide acts as an essential toolkit for being there when someone needs you most.

This new edition emphasizes the unique contribution of this longstanding text in the integration of mind/body relationships. The concept of stress, as defined and elaborated in Chapter 1, the primary efferent biological mechanisms of the human stress response, as described in Chapter 2, and the link from stress arousal to disease, as defined in Chapter 3, essentially remains the same. However, updates in microanatomy, biochemistry and tomography are added to these chapters. All other chapters will be updated as well, as there has been significant changes in the field over the past eight years.

The nosological roots of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be traced back to th~American Psychiatric Association''s DSM-I entry of gross stress reaction, as published in 1952. Yet the origins of the current enthusi­ asm with regard to post-traumatic stress can be traced back to 1980, which marked the emergence of the term post-traumatic stress disorder in the DSM­ III. This reflected the American Psychiatric Association''s acknowledgment of post-traumatic stress as a discrete, phenomenologically unique, and reli­ able psychopathological entity at a time in American history when such recognition had important social, political, and psychiatric implications. Clearly, prior to DSM-I the lack of a generally accepted terminology did little to augment the disabling effects that psychological traumatization could engender. Nor did the subsequent provision of an official diagnostic label alone render substantial ameliorative qualities. Nevertheless, the post­ Vietnam DSM-III recognition of PTSD did herald a dramatic increase in research and clinical discovery. The American Red Cross acknowledged the need to establish disaster mental health services, the American Psychological Association urged its members to form disaster mental health networks, and the Veterans Administration established a national study center for PTSD.

This comprehensive update of the now classic text applies the most current findings across disciplines to the treatment of pathogenic human stress arousal. New and revised chapters bring together the art and science of intervention, based in up-to-date neuroscience, starting with an innovative model tracing the stress-to-disease continuum throughout the systems of the human body. The authors detail the spectrum of physiological and psychological treatments for the stress response, including cognitive therapy, neuromuscular relaxation, breathing exercises, nutritional interventions, and pharmacotherapy. They also assess the strengths and limitations of widely-used measures of the stress response and consider the value of personality factors, cultural considerations, and resilience in stress mediation.Included in the coverage:The anatomy and physiology of the human stress response.Advances in neuroscience: implications for stress.Crisis intervention and psychological first aid.Neurophysiological rationale for the use of the relaxation response.Physical exercise and the human stress response. The pharmacological management of stress reactions.   Disaster Mental Health Planning.Cultural Awareness and Stress.The Fourth Edition of A Clinical Guide to the Treatment of Human Stress Response offers readers a dual perspective, exceedingly useful in examining the origins of the stress response, and in preventing and treating the response itself. This rich integrative volume will join its predecessors in popularity among practitioners and students across disciplines and specialties.

This comprehensive update of the now classic text applies the most current findings across disciplines to the treatment of pathogenic human stress arousal. New and revised chapters bring together the art and science of intervention, based in up-to-date neuroscience, starting with an innovative model tracing the stress-to-disease continuum throughout the systems of the human body. The authors detail the spectrum of physiological and psychological treatments for the stress response, including cognitive therapy, neuromuscular relaxation, breathing exercises, nutritional interventions, and pharmacotherapy. They also assess the strengths and limitations of widely-used measures of the stress response and consider the value of personality factors, cultural considerations, and resilience in stress mediation.

Included in the coverage:

The anatomy and physiology of the human stress response.Advances in neuroscience: implications for stress.Crisis intervention and psychological first aid.Neurophysiological rationale for the use of the relaxation response.Physical exercise and the human stress response. The pharmacological management of stress reactions.   Disaster Mental Health Planning.Cultural Awareness and Stress.

The Fourth Edition of A Clinical Guide to the Treatment of Human Stress Response offers readers a dual perspective, exceedingly useful in examining the origins of the stress response, and in preventing and treating the response itself. This rich integrative volume will join its predecessors in popularity among practitioners and students across disciplines and specialties.

Psychological first aid, or PFA, is designed to mitigate the effects of acute stress and trauma and assist those in crisis to cope effectively with adversity. PFA is designed to be applied in emergencies, including disasters and terrorist attacks. In this essential guide, George S. Everly, Jr., developer of the Johns Hopkins RAPID PFA method, and Jeffrey M. Lating, his collaborator in its implementation, describe the principles and practices underpinning this psychological model in an easy-to-follow, prescriptive, and practical manner. They explain the history of PFA and persuasively demonstrate its powerful versatility. Mental health practitioners can apply PFA in all settings. It can also be used as a public-health tool to address mental health needs following critical incidents and as a means for building community resilience. Aimed at mental health practitioners, all first responders, and global health disaster teams such as Medecins Sans Frontieres and the World Health Organization, The Johns Hopkins Guide to Psychological First Aid is the first book to thoroughly explain RAPID PFA.RAPID, a unique theoretically grounded and evidence-based PFA method, follows a set of easily understood principles. In each chapter, Everly and Lating provide a step-by-step approach and include a key point summary to emphasize essential elements. A unifying case exemplifies each phase of the RAPID PFA model in an ongoing dialogue that presents ideal PFA responses, examples of common mistakes, and various outcomes. In addition to their counseling experience in Kuwait after the Gulf War and in New York City after the September 11 attacks, the authors have traveled nationally and internationally to teach the RAPID PFA method in numerous public health, fire, police, military, and faith-based settings. Beneficial to those with little or no previous mental health training, this book is an essential tool for people who want to learn, to practice, or to retain their ability to use psychological first aid effectively.