Many people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,
or PTSD, feel there is no hope. They feel as though the way they feel today is
the best they will feel for the rest of their lives. This is not true, nor a healthy
way of feeling. Help and hope is readily available.
The most
common way to begin treating PTSD is through different medications. Depending
on the symptoms, severity of symptoms, and the patient's history, a trained
physician or psychiatrist can recommend prescription medications to help a
sufferer begin the healing process.
Most
doctors typically want to begin treatment with an antidepressant.
Unfortunately, the word "antidepressant" can be misleading. A person
with PTSD may not feel depressed and therefore, may not welcome the use of a
medication commonly used to treat depression. This misconception can lead to a
patient's refusal of the medication. However, antidepressants can be incredibly
helpful for a person suffering from PTSD.
Different
antidepressants work in different ways, but they all help to increase the
amount of serotonin in the brain. Some help to create more serotonin, some help
the brain to retain current serotonin, and others work in both ways. Serotonin
is a naturally produced "feel good" hormone produced by the body.
Stress, anxiety, depression, and lack of sleep are just a few things that
deplete the body's supply of serotonin.
In
addition to feeling depressed, an imbalance in serotonin levels can also cause
sleep problems, upset stomach, fatigue, and low levels can even slow the rate
of healing for physical injuries. Common antidepressants used to treat PTSD
include Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft. While these three are the most commonly
used, they are far from the only option. Everyone is different and the
antidepressant that works for one person, may not work for another. It is
imperative to work with a skilled doctor until the correct antidepressant and
dose is found.
Another
helpful medication in treating PTSD is in the class of drugs called
anti-psychotics. Please, do not be deterred by the name. Many people that do
not fall under the mental health condition of psychosis use anti psychotics for
a short period of time to minimize emotional outbursts, aid in restful sleep,
and lower high anxiety levels. They also help reconnect a patient with their
own lives while settling paranoia caused by PTSD. Common anti-psychotics used
in the treatment of PTSD include Risperdal, Seroquel, and Zyprexa.
Prazosin
is often used off-label for patients experiencing nightmares and insomnia. It
is traditionally used to lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension.
This lowering of blood pressure in a PTSD patient allows for a more restful,
uninterrupted night of sleep. All dreams either stop or become less frequent as
soon as the first use. The patient is then able to sleep soundly instead of
being haunted by the relentless images playing in their heads.
Anti
anxiety medications such as Alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazapam (Klonopin), Diazepam
(Valium), and other related benzodiazepines help to relieve the panic
experienced by those suffering from PTSD. This is a very common complaint from
PTSD patients. They feel as though danger is not only near, but imminent, even
while on an innocent outing with friends and family. The use of anti anxiety
medications helps to ease the worries and relax the patient allowing more
normal experiences, and thus, permitting a more normal life.
While
there are many more options, these are the most common medications prescribed
for PTSD. It is important to be open and honest with all health care providers
so they can find the correct combination of medications. PTSD is an invisible
illness that only a sufferer can begin to describe, but help and hope are
available.
Submitted By: Chelsea Johnson
Gabapentin for everyone! (eh, or unless the contract runs out?
ReplyDeleteGabapentin for everyone! (eh, or unless the contract runs out?
ReplyDeletePTSD can have people feeling very awful.
ReplyDeleteI'm told that art projects are a good therapy. I find it helps me, anyway.