Medication Monday: PTSD

It is Memorial Day, and I wanted to step back from my normal Medication Monday approach of looking at a specific medication, and instead look at a specific condition and the medications that are used for that condition. Specifically, I wanted to look at medications used for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

I choose this day and this disease because as we pause to remember those who have fallen in defense of our nation here in the United States, we should never forget that so many more heroes fall each day, 22 of them on average, due to suicide. PTSD plays a big part in that.

And since PTSD often co-occurs with other conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, it is important to understand the treatments that are available.

For starters, a common medication class used for PTSD is SSRI antidepressants, which have been discussed frequently in this series. However, other medications, including Cymbalta, Effexor, Pristiq, and Welbutrin, may also be used, although more research is needed to fully understand their effect.

These medications often should be taken along with talk therapy of some kind to get the full benefit of the medication. Even if a patient is feeling better they should not stop the medication too soon, as doing so may exacerbate the underlying conditions.

As always, I remind readers that Medication Monday is not meant as a substitute for medical advice, and questions about any treatment talked about here should go to your doctor or mental health professional. And as always, thanks for reading. Stay tuned later today for a special bonus Medication Monday Post.

Source: Medicine Net – PTSD