Skip to main content

Biological therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder: an overview.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Davidson, JR
Published in: J Clin Psychiatry
1997

Both core and secondary symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) respond to medication, a valuable part of overall PTSD treatment. Treatment options include antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, and mood stabilizers. A growing data base of results from double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials supports the use of antidepressants, especially tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Although heightened anxiety is characteristic of PTSD, benzodiazepines have not yet proved useful in controlled trials and may be associated with a rebound effect on discontinuation. The small, open studies of anticonvulsant drugs indicate moderate to good improvement with these agents. Tricyclic, SSRI, and MAOI antidepressants have demonstrated efficacy in larger, longer-term controlled trials. Drug/psychotherapy combinations may enhance the usefulness of psychotherapeutics in the management of PTSD. Studies with tricyclics and fluoxetine indicate that magnitude and type of trauma may determine the degree of response.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Clin Psychiatry

ISSN

0160-6689

Publication Date

1997

Volume

58 Suppl 9

Start / End Page

29 / 32

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
  • Psychotropic Drugs
  • Psychiatry
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Humans
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Adaptation, Psychological
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Davidson, J. R. (1997). Biological therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder: an overview. J Clin Psychiatry, 58 Suppl 9, 29–32.
Davidson, J. R. “Biological therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder: an overview.J Clin Psychiatry 58 Suppl 9 (1997): 29–32.
Davidson JR. Biological therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder: an overview. J Clin Psychiatry. 1997;58 Suppl 9:29–32.
Davidson, J. R. “Biological therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder: an overview.J Clin Psychiatry, vol. 58 Suppl 9, 1997, pp. 29–32.
Davidson JR. Biological therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder: an overview. J Clin Psychiatry. 1997;58 Suppl 9:29–32.

Published In

J Clin Psychiatry

ISSN

0160-6689

Publication Date

1997

Volume

58 Suppl 9

Start / End Page

29 / 32

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
  • Psychotropic Drugs
  • Psychiatry
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Humans
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Adaptation, Psychological