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What is the most important information I should know about PTSD medications?
It leads to symptoms that include intrusive memories, flashbacks, hypervigilance, anxiety, and nightmares.
The condition is typically treated with certain PTSD medications and therapy.
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It also discusses other treatments that can help people manage their condition.
SSRIs
SSRIshelp relieve specific symptoms of PTSD by increasingserotoninlevels in the brain.
Serotonin is a chemical messenger that plays a role in mood and sleep.
PTSD can disrupt how chemical signals are sent throughout the brain and body.
Increasing serotonin levels can potentially help symptoms that impact mood, anxiety, and sleep.
Note: Only sertraline and paroxetine have been approved for PTSD treatment by the FDA.
Effexor(venlafaxine) is the most commonly prescribed SNRI PTSD medication.
Side Effects of SNRIs
SNRIs can also lead to several different side effects.
In some cases, they can also cause elevated blood pressure.
Anti-Anxiety Medications
Anti-anxiety medications are sometimes prescribed to help people manage symptoms of anxiety.
These medications increase the amount of GABA that binds to thecentral nervous system(CNS) receptors.
They should be used with caution to treat anxiety associated with PTSD.
These medications are contraindicated in the treatment of PTSD.
However, 74% of people diagnosed with the condition receive a prescription for benzodiazepines.
They are classified as Schedule IV medications because they risk producing psychological and physical addiction.
When taken for periods longer than two to four weeks, they can produce dependence and/or abuse.
Never stop taking these medications without talking to your doctor first.
They gradually lower your dose over time to minimize the risk of withdrawal complications.
Alpha-1 Blockers
Alpha-1 blockers are medications that act as alpha-adrenergic receptor agonists.
They affect alpha receptors in the CNS, which helps inhibit the body’s stress response.
These medications are primarily prescribed to treat high blood pressure, prostate enlargement, and tumors.
Alpha-1 blockers are also sometimes prescribed off-label to improve sleep and reduce nightmares in PTSD.
Mood stabilizers are generally used along with other treatments for PTSD, such as other medications and therapy.
They may also be prescribed for people with co-occurringbipolar disorderorborderline personality disorder(BPD).
This approach to treatment focuses on helping people change unhelpful thoughts related to their trauma.
The APA also suggests that specific forms of CBT can be beneficial for dealing with PTSD symptoms.
These includecognitive processing therapy, cognitive therapy, andexposure therapy.
During this treatment, people focus on movements or sounds while thinking about the upsetting memory.
Studies suggest that ketamine infusion therapy and MDMA-assisted therapy show promise in helping people recover from traumatic experiences.
Psychedelic therapies should only be administered in controlled configs under the treatment of trained medical professionals.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
American Psychological Association.Medications for PTSD.
Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context.
2015;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290
Ehret M. Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Focus on pharmacotherapy.Ment Health Clin.
