Treatment of PSTD

Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and exposure therapy.
PTSD is treated by a variety of forms of psychotherapy and drug therapy. There is no definitive treatment, but the above mentioned therapies have shown to be quite promising.

Psychotherapy
Exposure therapy involves having the patient repeatedly relive the frightening experience under controlled conditions to help him or her work through the trauma. Studies have also shown that medications help ease associated symptoms of depression and anxiety and help with sleep. At present, cognitive-behavioral therapy appears to be somewhat more effective than drug therapy. The repeated exposure to sources of anxiety should diminish the patient’s fear so that he or she no longer needs to avoid certain situations and thoughts.

Medications
The most widely used drug treatments for PTSD are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Prozac and Zoloft. These antidepressants act on the substance called serotonin, the neurotransmitter in the brain that helps brain cells send and receive various messages. Drug therapy appears to be highly effective for some individuals and is helpful for many more. Tranquilizers such as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan) may decrease the feeling of anxiety.

Stress management training
This approach also involves learning how to manage your anxiety through relaxation. You work with the help of a therapist to develop skills to decrease your preoccupation with negative thoughts and the sense of being overwhelmed by the traumatic event.

Possible complications if left untreated

Several researches have been conducted on this subject and they all came to the same conclusion. Having post-traumatic stress disorder may place a person at a higher risk of:

• Depression
• Drug abuse
• Alcohol abuse
• Eating disorders
• Divorce