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[Post-traumatic stress disorders: diagnostic and therapeutic principles ]
1Psychiatrische Poliklinik, Universitätsspital Zürich. uschnyd@psyp.unizh.ch
Praxis
|March 26, 2003
Summary
Most people experience trauma, but not all develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Effective treatments include psychotherapy, particularly exposure therapy, and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, with caution advised for benzodiazepines.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Over 50% of the population experiences trauma.
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops in some trauma survivors.
- Diagnostic criteria for acute stress reaction, PTSD, and enduring personality change are outlined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present diagnostic criteria for trauma-related disorders.
- To review current evidence-based treatments for PTSD.
- To identify predictors for developing PTSD.
Main Methods:
- Review of diagnostic criteria for trauma-related disorders.
- Synthesis of evidence for psychotherapy and psychopharmacological treatments for PTSD.
- Identification of risk factors for PTSD development.
Main Results:
- Psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioral and exposure therapy, is the primary treatment for PTSD.
- Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors are first-line pharmacotherapy for PTSD.
- Benzodiazepines should be used cautiously due to substance use disorder risks.
Conclusions:
- PTSD requires a multi-faceted treatment approach.
- Early identification of at-risk individuals is crucial for intervention.
- Evidence supports psychotherapy and specific medications for PTSD management.