In primary care, the recommended first-line pharmacotherapy agents for treating PTSD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine 20–40 mg once daily for at least 10 weeks. Second-line pharmacological interventions include the use of mirtazapine or phenelzine.
Triggers can include sights, sounds, smells, or thoughts that remind you of the traumatic event in some way. Some PTSD triggers are obvious, such as seeing a news report of an assault. Others are less clear. For example, if you were attacked on a sunny day, seeing a bright blue sky might make you upset.
How Exposure Therapy Helps Those With PTSD. Exposure therapy has been thoroughly studied and referred to as the gold standard for PTSD patients, helping them process emotions and overcome their fears. The goal of exposure therapy is to actively confront the things that a person fears.
The PTSD medications that are most frequently prescribed are Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Effexor (venlafaxine). Zoloft and Paxil are FDA-approved for treating PTSD, but other medications are often prescribed off-label depending on an individual's specific needs.
For physical health problems, this could include labs (like bloodwork), tests (like an x-ray, scan or biopsy) or a physical exam. For PTSD, an assessment includes answering questions about your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. PTSD is most often diagnosed, or confirmed, by a mental health provider.
People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people.
Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better.
Social interaction with someone who cares about you is the most effective way to calm your nervous system, so it's important to find someone you can connect with face to face. You don't have to talk about the trauma if you don't want to, but the caring support and companionship of others is vital to your recovery.
Strategies such as distraction, deep breathing, mindfulness, and behavior activation are just a few techniques that you can try. If you find these approaches are not doing enough to help with your symptoms, talk to a doctor or mental health professional.
The most common medications used for treating the depression and anxiety associated with PTSD belong to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These medications work by raising levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.
Medicines for PTSD
Generally, it's best to start with psychological treatment rather than use medicine as the first and only solution to the problem. Antidepressant medication may be recommended if symptoms do not completely go away with psychotherapy, or the person is unable to have therapy for some reason.
Women with PTSD may be more likely than men with PTSD to: Be easily startled. Have more trouble feeling emotions or feel numb. Avoid things that remind them of the trauma.
PTSD is one of APM's supported conditions for disability employment services. Through the Disability Employment Services program, APM assists people with illnesses, injuries, and disabilities in finding and keeping employment. Participation in this program is free since the Australian Government funds it.
Symptoms of complex PTSD
avoiding situations that remind a person of the trauma. dizziness or nausea when remembering the trauma. hyperarousal, which means being in a continual state of high alert. the belief that the world is a dangerous place.
People can forget they were exposed to traumatic events because the brain does not process and store trauma memories like regular experiences. However, the trauma can remain in the subconscious mind for years without victims realizing they have PTSD.
PTSD causes your brain to get stuck in danger mode. Even after you're no longer in danger, it stays on high alert. Your body continues to send out stress signals, which lead to PTSD symptoms. Studies show that the part of the brain that handles fear and emotion (the amygdala) is more active in people with PTSD.
The Long-Term Reconstruction Stage
When a person moves into this phase, they may experience feelings of fear, extreme sadness, and resentment. They may also worry about their future. It's important to address the thoughts, feelings, and emotions associated with the traumatic experience in order to fully recover.