PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Chat Support Group
PTSD Treatment
PTSD is treated by a variety of forms of psychotherapy and drug therapy. There
is no definitive treatment, and no cure, but some treatments appear to be quite
promising, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and exposure
therapy, in which the patient repeatedly relives the frightening experience
under controlled conditions to help him or her work throughout the trauma. Studies
have also shown that medications help ease associated symptoms of depression
and anxiety and help ease sleep. The most widely-used drug treatments for PTSD
are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Prozac and Zoloft.
At present, cognitive-behavioral therapy appears to be somewhat more effective
than drug therapy, but it would be premature to conclude that drug therapy is
less effective overall since drug trials for PTSD are at a very stage. Drug
therapy definitely appears to be highly effective for some individuals and is
helpful for many more. Also, the recent findings on the biological changes associated
with PTSD have spurred new research into drugs that target these biological
changes, which may lead to much increased efficacy.
Treatment for PTSD typically begins with a detailed evaluation, and development
of a treatment plan that meets the unique needs of the survivor. Generally,
PTSD-specific-treatment is begun only when the survivor is safely removed from
a crisis situation. For instance, if currently exposed to trauma (such as by
ongoing domestic or community violence, abuse, or homelessness), severely depressed
or suicidal, experiencing extreme panic or disorganized thinking, or in need
of drug or alcohol detoxification, addressing these crisis problems becomes
part of the first treatment phase.
In recent years a great deal of research has been aimed at development and
testing of reliable assessment tools. It is generally thought
that the best way to diagnose PTSD, or any psychiatric disorder,
for that matter, is to combine findings from structured interviews
and questionnaires with physiological assessments. There is no
definitive treatment, and no cure, but some treatments appear
to be quite promising and research into improved treatments is
taking place constantly.
Click Here for a brief
description of some of the treatments available for PTSD
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