TREATMENTMETHODS TO

COMBATPTSD

Edward Wi throw

PTSD Stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,which is developed by many after theyexperience a traumatizing event. I t can manifestthrough symptoms of re-experience, avoidance,reactivity, and mood swings. I t is oftenexperienced by combat veterans, and isimportant to begin to treat at the init ial s ign ofany symptoms. The fol lowing are varioustreatment methods.

W H A T I S P T S D ?

Cognit ive Behavioral Therapy is the leading typeof therapy in the treatment of PTSD. It isfocused on changing the thought processsurrounding a patient 's specif ic trauma. Thereare many types of this kind of therapy, al l ofwhich have been proven to be effective.

C O G N I T I V EB E H A V I O R A L T H E R A P Y

Exposure Therapy is a type of Cognit iveBehavioral Therapy that focuses on the fearassociated with the traumatic experience. Apatient undergoing this therapy wil l talk throughthe traumatic event consistently unti l theimmediate response is not fear , and the patientcan, therefore, cope.

E X P O S U R E T H E R A P Y

Eye Movement Desensit ization and Reprocessing(EMDR) is a type of Cognit ive Behavioral Therapythat involves focusing on other st imuli whi letalking through the traumatic event. The resultof this exercise is less of a stress responsewhen remembering the event.

E M D R

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)are usual ly used to combat PTSD, as they raisethe levels of serotonin in the brain. Low levelsof serotonin are present in those suffering fromdepression and anxiety as wel l .

M E D I C A T I O N

Sometimes it is most helpful for those sufferingfrom PTSD to be able to talk through theirexperiences with others who have been throughthe same thing. Sharing one's story in grouptherapy can help bui ld relat ionships around thetrauma and help those suffering to move on.

G R O U P T H E R A P Y

This type of therapy is al l about educating thepatient on how the past is affecting the present.The hope is that further understanding wil lpromote different reactions when thinking of atraumatic event.

B R I E FP S Y C H O D Y N A M I CP S Y C H O T H E R A P Y

Combat veterans especial ly , i f developing PTSD,have famil ies that have to watch them suffer.Family therapy is helpful in maintaining goodcommunication and rebui lding relat ionshipswhile working through overcoming PTSD.

F A M I L Y T H E R A P Y

F O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O NA B O U T P T S D T R E A T M E N T S ,V I S I T H T T P : / / W W W . P T S D . VA . G O V / P U B L I C / T R E A T M E N T

/ T H E R A P Y -M E D / T R E A T M E N T -

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