Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Management: Pharmacological and Psychological Therapies

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the development of intrusive symptoms, avoidance of trauma cues, negative changes in cognition, and mood.Symptoms of intrusion, avoidance/numbing, hyperarousal, stress or sensitivity, irritability, hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, lack of concentration, or emotions related to a traumatic event through sensory flashbacks or nightmares are all symptoms of PTSD.The possible psychopathological consequence of exposure to a traumatic event that threatens a person's psychological and/or physical integrity.DSM-5 states that symptoms must be present for one month after the traumatic event to be diagnosed with PTSD.Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for PTSD.During the first 4 weeks after a traumatic event, psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy, including benzodiazepines, is not necessary.Current treatment guidelines recommend 3 first-line trauma-focused treatments: prolonged exposure (PE), cognitive transformation therapy (CTT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).The pharmacological therapy include SSRIs and Venlafaxine are first line pharmacotherapy for PTSD.Sertraline and Paroxetine have received approval for the immediate treatment of PTSD, while Sertraline is also approved for long-term care.Mirtazapine was effective in doses upto 45mg/day and is a second line agent.Amitriptyline and Imipramine are considered second-line options.Phenelzine is a third line drug.