MEDICATION FOR PTSD

A number of different medications have been prescribed for PTSD.  These mostly include antidepressants. At times this can be helpful as chronic stress associated with PTSD can lead to depression that can be relieved, at least in part, by medication.  I say in part because if the stress connected to PTSD is ongoing then depressive symptoms can be precipiated again or never resolved with medication and therapy.  

Anxiety triggerd by events that remind the brain of past traumas is the main symptom of PTSD.  This anxiety is related to the almost instantaneous alarm response of the brain as it tries to avoid a catastrophic response.  It seems that frequent alarm reactions is better than being completely overwelmed.  Anything that can reduce the intensity of the anxiety response or reduce the frequency of anxiety responses will be helpful.  Medications targeting this have included propranolol, atypical antipsychotic medications and benzodiazepines.  Propranolol reduces the physical reactions to stress and thus can reduce the intensity and frequency of these reactions.  Atypical antipsychotic medications are also able to significantly reduce anxiety reactions and at lower doses are usually well tolerated without side-effects.  It may be difficult to explain why an antipsychotic medication is helpful and yet the intensity of the anxiety response in PTSD benefit from this type of medication. Benzodiazepines can temporarily reduce anxiety but often have side-effects and will over time be less effective.  There can also be dangerous withdrawal symptoms for the shorter acting benzodiazepines.