| Abstrakt: |
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a very prevalent psychiatric disorder that causes distress and functional impairment, results in greater risk for psychiatric and medical comorbidities, and is associated with serious complications, including suicide. Patients experience a variety of symptoms involving intrusion, avoidance, cognitions/mood, and arousal/reactivity. There is evidence that disruptions in various neurobiologic systems may trigger the development and maintenance of PTSD. Trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy, stress inoculation training, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing are effective psychological treatments for PTSD. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors are well-established pharmacologic treatments for PTSD. Venlafaxine also is considered a first-line medication. Prazosin frequently is used to treat PTSD-related sleep disturbances. Other antidepressants, various anticonvulsants, and second-generation antipsychotics play a secondary role in the treatment of PTSD. Treatment goals should address core PTSD symptoms, comorbid conditions, suicidality, and functional impairments. PTSD assessment scales can be used to help evaluate treatment response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
