Effective Treatments for PTSD PTSD-Related Symptoms and Other PTSD-Related Symptoms Overall Symptoms of PTSD

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PTSD Overview Posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can occur after someone goes through or sees a traumatic event like combat, physical or sexual abuse, assault, serious accidents or natural disasters. If your reactions to these events do not go away after time and they disrupt your daily life, you may have PTSD. The good news is that there are effective treatments available for PTSD that can help you get better.

Effective Treatments Treatments that Work “ Some of you may be questioning Both antidepressants and cognitive behavioral for PTSD therapy have been shown effective for the yourself – if I reach out for help and get treatment of PTSD. treatment will it help me? I am a living 1.4 testimony that it helped me. But there Learn About: 1.2 are some caveats here and this is, first of • What you should know about PTSD and TBI 1 all you need to want the help. Secondly, 1.28 • Recommended treatment options for PTSD you need to embrace the help. Thirdly, 0.8 Recommended treatment options for 0.6 • if medication is suggested be willing to ect size(d) Eff insomnia and anxiety symptoms related utilize the tools given to you. Be willing to 0.4 to your PTSD .43 fully participate in your own recovery.” 0.2 • New information about anti-anxiety 0 Watts, Schnurr et al., 2013 medications and PTSD and why you may Robert Murphy Antidepressants Cognitive Behavior Therapy

want to talk to your doctor about these US Army (1966-1969) Effects of Treatment on PTSD Severity medications 1st Lieutnenant / 1Lt, Infantry Unit Commander Vietnam This graph shows effect sizes for antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy. An effect size tells us how big or noticeable a change is. An effect size of 0.8 is considered large which means See more success stories at that other people would notice that there has www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/AboutFace been a change. Recommended Psychotherapy PTSD and TBI Caution about Benzodiazepines Treatments If you have PTSD and a history of concussion or Some doctors have prescribed benzodiazepines Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective traumatic brain injury (TBI), it is important for you for patients with PTSD. These medications may treatment for PTSD. CBT usually involves meeting with to know that: be known as Valium, Xanax, Klonopin or Ativan. your therapist weekly up to four months. The two most Benzodiazepines may help in the short term and effective types of CBT for PTSD are Cognitive Processing • CBT treatments have been shown effective in make you feel better quickly, but we now know that Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). patients with this co-occurring condition they do not improve the overall symptoms of PTSD

and their helpful effects do not last. • Antidepressants have also been shown to be In CPT you examine what you’re thinking and telling effective but patients should work with their yourself about your trauma and decide whether those These medications are often prescribed to help thoughts are accurate or inaccurate. It can be done provider to reach the appropriate dose treat specific symptoms such as anxiety or insomnia. individually or in a group. • Anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines However, long-term use of these medications may may cause harmful side effects and should not be lead to harmful side effects. PE works through repeated exposure to thoughts, used feelings, and situations that you have been avoiding and helps you learn that reminders of the trauma do not have If you have PTSD and have had a head injury, it is For more information visit www.ptsd.va.gov to be avoided. PE is done individually with your therapist. particularly important that your doctor be aware of Or contact your local evidence-based treatment your history. This will then help determine the best coordinator: treatment options for you. Recommended Medications Recommended medications for PTSD include antidepressants such as Zoloft and Paxil. These medications work by helping brain cells communicate which can make you feel better.

Anxiety Treatment Comparison Chart Psychotherapy Treatment Option(s): Cognitive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Antidepressants Prazosin Trazodone Behavioral Therapy (CBT), CBT for Anxiety How it Works Helps you learn about how your Helps brain cells send and receive Helps brain cells send and receive Medication Option(s): Antidepressants like Zoloft Blocks adrenalin in the beliefs and memories about your messages messages and Paxil, or Effexor trauma have impacted your life brain Reduces nightmares Reduces the core symptoms of PTSD Limited effects on overall Focuses on symptoms such as symptoms of PTSD anxiety or insomnia Insomnia Improves sleep Psychotherapy Treatment Option(s): Cognitive Potential Benefits Decreases PTSD symptoms, anxiety, Improves PTSD symptoms, but Significant improvement in sleep Improves sleep disruption Behavioral Therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is highly depression, and can improve sleep has variable effects on sleep for PTSD patients effective. Other forms of CBT may be helpful. Potential Drawbacks May cause lightheadedness May worsen mood Medication Option(s): low dose trazodone, prazosin, Talking about trauma can May cause headaches, nausea, amitriptyline, doxepin, or benadryl be difficult initially decreased sex drive, and fatigue Duration 8-15 weekly sessions with Usually need to continue indefinitely Need to continue Usually need to continue indefinitely long-lasting effects Do not STOP or change any medications you are Evidence of Success Research shows this is one of the Significant overall improvement in Significant improvement in sleep Helpful for sleep, but not for currently taking without first discussing it with your doctor. most effective treatments for PTSD PTSD-related symptoms and other PTSD-related symptoms overall symptoms of PTSD