Sammanfattning
Disasters and other adverse life events may cause severe and chronic posttraumatic stress (PTS) in survivors. Knowledge varies within and across countries in Europe regarding psychosocial interventions after such events. Between 2007 and 2011, The European Network for Traumatic Stress (TENTS) established a network of expertise with the aim to examine the effectiveness of interventions on PTS after trauma, and develop and disseminate a teaching package throughout Europe. The systematic review by TENTS found a scarcity of research on acute interventions, and a lack of efficacy for preventive interventions, whereas trauma-focused psychotherapy is effective for severe acute and chronic PTS. Pharmacotherapy can alleviate chronic PTS although its effects are small. Sweden has a developed network for early psychosocial interventions after major events. As in most of Europe, however, there is a need for greater access to evidence-based psychotherapy.