PTSD treatment typically focuses on one or more types of therapy; it may also include medication and additional support services and interventions.
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be severe and manifest in different ways. Intrusive symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares can lead to heightened reactivity as well as to blunted emotions and dissociative symptoms. People with PTSD sometimes become more impulsive or aggressive but can also become withdrawn and avoidant. They can alternate between these different responses in unpredictable intervals.
To be effective, treatment for PTSD typically addresses this full range of symptoms. This means it must be multi-faceted, systematic, flexible and responsive. While PTSD treatment focuses on one or more types of therapy, it may also include medication and additional support services and interventions. PTSD treatment options and protocols are the focus of extensive research and are actively being improved as clinicians continue to study the effects of trauma.
Are you or a loved one dealing with a life-altering trauma and are struggling to cope? Contact Mental Health America at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to find help today.
Medications for PTSD
Medication for PTSD typically targets the brain’s threat-processing systems, aiming to reduce intrusive symptoms and any depressive and anxiety symptoms that accompany them. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are used to treat both depression and anxiety and also can be effective medications for PTSD. These medications can lower anxious rumination, improve emotional range, reduce intrusive symptoms and help people feel less irritable and on edge.
- Fluoxetine (Prozac). Prozac can effectively alleviate symptoms of depression within a week and is a safe and effective medication for a wide range of people. Prozac for PTSD is a good choice for people with serious cognitive symptoms who want to improve their mental clarity and emotional responsiveness. It is a particularly good choice for people with comorbid PTSD and major depressive disorder.
- Paroxetine (Paxil). Like Prozac, Paxil is an SSRI that is used to treat both depression and anxiety. Paxil for PTSD is a good choice for people with significant avoidance symptoms and especially for those with comorbid anxiety disorders. Studies have shown that it can effectively address the full range of PTSD symptoms, including intrusive symptoms.
- Sertraline (Zoloft). Zoloft is the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of PTSD. It is an effective choice for people looking for a single medication that can treat the full range of PTSD symptoms, including intrusive symptoms. Zoloft is effective for treating numbing and hyperarousal symptoms.
- Venlafaxine (Effexor). Effexor for PTSD effectively addresses avoidance, numbing and re-experiencing symptoms. Research shows that it is also a good choice for people with comorbid PTSD and depression. It is strongly recommended for the treatment of PTSD by the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Therapies for PTSD
While medications can reduce distressing symptoms and make them more manageable, they do not address the psychological wounds of trauma. Therapy can facilitate deeper healing and help people regain optimism and a sense of control. It can also help them learn additional tools for symptom management, like relaxation and anger control skills.
Therapy can provide a safe place for people who have experienced trauma to explore and confront what happened, allowing traumatized individuals to process feelings that can be overwhelming to handle alone. This helps people with PTSD regain a sense of safety, feel empowered and overcome the sense of helplessness traumatic events often induce.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is one of the most effective trauma-focused therapies for the treatment of PTSD. It is recommended by the VA for combat veterans with PTSD and is also a good choice for civilians who experience the disorder.
Cognitive processing therapy for PTSD helps people understand how trauma changed the ways they think and feel and learn new ways to think about what happened. It specifically focuses on reducing negative thinking and self-blame. CPT is a structured treatment protocol that lasts for 12 weeks and includes weekly 60- to 90-minute sessions, writing exercises and homework.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Prolonged exposure therapy (PET) is another trauma-focused psychotherapy recommended by the VA for people with PTSD. Prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD involves gradual exposure to memories, thoughts and emotions related to the trauma.
Behavioral interventions, including relaxation techniques, are used to help patients as they practice imaginal exposure, which involves placing themselves mentally in the places and situations they have avoided since the trauma. Clients also practice in vivo exposure, or gradual exposure to the real-life scenarios they previously avoided. PET usually takes eight to 15 weeks of 60- to 90-minute weekly sessions to complete.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is also a VA-approved trauma-focused therapy. This unique form of gradual exposure therapy provides tools for coping with traumatic stimuli.
In EMDR sessions, people focus on memories, feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations related to the trauma they experienced while paying attention to alternating visual or auditory signals. This helps the brain reprocess the trauma and become less reactive to it. EMDR has been shown to be effective for PTSD and other trauma-related conditions and usually requires one to three months of 50- to 90-minute sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most thoroughly studied psychotherapies and is an effective and evidence-based intervention for a wide range of mental health conditions. In CBT, people examine their thoughts and identify irrational or distorted beliefs that exacerbate negative emotions and behavior. By challenging and reframing their thinking, people can empower themselves to engage with life in more positive ways.
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Treating PTSD and Co-Occurring Conditions
In many cases, interventions that target PTSD can also be used to treat comorbid conditions. For example, both PTSD and depression respond to CBT and SSRIs. It is rare that a person needs to see different individual therapists for PTSD and depression, though they might benefit from attending separate groups for each.
Specific interventions for PTSD can also be used to treat substance use disorders. Therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy all have been proven to work for people with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders. In addition, special interventions have also been designed for these dually-diagnosed disorders:
- Seeking Safety is a systematic, manual-based intervention for people with comorbid trauma-related and substance use disorders that helps clients set boundaries, decrease high-risk behavior, manage emotions and prevent relapse.
- Transcend is a program that incorporates elements from CBT, psychodynamic therapy and 12-step treatment programs to help clients cope with PTSD symptoms while maintaining abstinence from substance use.
Some dually diagnosed clients may be able to recover using one of these programs alone, though most will also require individual therapy and medication management.
Several treatment options for people with PTSD and substance use disorders are available at The Recovery Village including online rehab. Contact a representative at The Recovery Village today to learn about programs that can help you or a loved one start to heal from trauma and addiction.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.