Refugees: An examination of the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder NICE guidelines

Abstract

The aim of this review is to consider whether the NICE guidelines for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can appropriately guide professionals in meeting the needs of refugees, through evaluation, assessment and treatment. In particular, the limited consideration for culture within the guidelines is explored. Of key importance is that the NICE guidelines are based on the diagnostic model of PTSD, which may fail to appreciate the broader ways in which refugees may understand their traumatic experiences, and wish to address the impacts. Furthermore, there is a clear gap in literature concerning PTSD treatment for refugees (Lee & Bowles, 2023). Arguably, this brings into question the validity of the treatment recommendations within the NICE guidelines, for refugees. More broadly, within the global context, the application of western-based mental disorders has been disputed based on the cultural, and philosophical differences, varying interpretations of life and different traditions in relation to expressing distress and seeking support (Summerfield, 2013). This paper suggests that the NICE guidelines fail to consider the depth and complexity of the role of culture within trauma and recommend insufficient flexibility with regards to the mode of treatment delivery, including a lack of consideration for native and culturally grounded methods of intervention.