Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Fortunately, effective evidence-based treatments exist. The five primary, most recommended treatment types for PTSD are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) The cornerstone of PTSD treatment. Focused CBT approaches include:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) – helps patients identify and modify unhelpful beliefs about the trauma.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) – gradually exposes patients to trauma-related memories and situations in a safe way to reduce fear.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) An 8-phase therapy that uses guided eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation) to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact. EMDR is recommended by the APA, VA, and WHO.
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Especially effective for children, adolescents, and adults. Combines trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive behavioral techniques, often including the caregiver in treatment.
- Medication (Pharmacotherapy) FDA-approved medications for PTSD include the SSRIs/SNRIs:
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac) – widely used off-label
- Venlafaxine (Effexor) These reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hyperarousal.
- Present-Centered Therapy & Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) Non-trauma-focused therapies that teach coping skills, emotional regulation, and problem-solving in the present moment. Often used when patients prefer to avoidant approaches or as an adjunct.
Many experts and guidelines (NICE, VA/DoD, ISTSS) emphasize starting with trauma-focused psychotherapy (CBT or EMDR) as first-line treatment, with medication as a strong second option or combined approach. Early intervention improves outcomes significantly.