Psychiatry Fast Five Quiz: What Do You Know About Post-traumatic Stress Disorder?

Stephen Soreff, MD

Disclosures

January 30, 2017

The principal medications used in PTSD treatment are beta-blockers and the various antidepressants. However, many different drugs are used to treat specific symptoms of PTSD, including benzodiazepines for anxiety, anticonvulsants for impulsivity and emotional lability, and clonidine for nightmares. Benzodiazepine use in the first month after a potentially traumatic event is not recommended.

Treatment is generally best accomplished using a combination of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies. Medications play an important role in controlling the physiologic symptoms of PTSD, enabling the patient to tolerate and work through the highly emotional content in psychotherapy.

To learn more about the pharmacologic treatment of PTSD, read here.

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