My shield will protect me against the ANTS: treatment of PTSD in a client with an intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND: There are limited interventions for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who also have an intellectual disability. This paper reports the successful treatment of a client with an intellectual disability who experienced PTSD following abuse in an intimate relationship. We describe the use of an innovative coping technique ("the shield") developed by the first author to allow exposure to intrusive traumatic memories.

METHOD: Treatment involved exposure, stress reduction techniques, and modified cognitive techniques.

RESULTS: After 9 sessions of therapy over 3 months, the client had experienced no flashbacks. These gains were maintained at a 5-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION: PTSD symptoms were successfully treated and the client reported additional improvements in overall functioning. Limitations and questions about the mechanism of action are raised.