Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychiatric condition, can develop after any catastrophic life event. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, sweating, rapid heart rate, detachment, amnesia, sleep problems, irritability, and exaggerated startle response. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, group support, and medication.
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Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
- zolpidem (Ambien)
- bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban, Aplenzin, Fortivo XL, Zyban)
- venlafaxine, Effexor XR (Effexor has been discontinued in the US)
- propranolol, Inderal, Inderal LA, Innopran XL
- paroxetine, Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva
- fluoxetine, Prozac, Sarafem, Prozac Weekly
- risperidone, Risperdal; Risperdal Consta, Risperdal M-TAB
- nefazodone, Serzone
- alprazolam (Xanax, Xanax XR, Niravam) Anti-Anxiety Drug
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- trazodone (Desyrel - discontinued brand)
- lithium, Lithobid
- olanzapine, Zyprexa, Zydis, Zyprexa Relprevv
- citalopram, Celexa
- quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR)
- lamotrigine, Lamictal, Lamictal CD, Lamictal ODT, Lamictal XR
- prazosin (Minipress)
- blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria, Spirulina)
- tiagabine - oral, Gabitril
- guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex)
- duloxetine, Cymbalta
- desvenlafaxine (Pristiq, Khedezla)
- Antidepressants (Depression Medications)
- paliperidone (Invega)
- Klonopin (clonazepam) vs. Xanax (alprazolam)
- Anxiolytics (for Anxiety) Drug Class Side Effects
- Buspar vs. Zoloft (Differences between Side Effects and Uses)
- Lexapro vs. Wellbutrin: Differences between Side Effects and Uses
Prevention & Wellness
- Does PTSD Really Harm Veterans' Hearts?
- Gun Injuries Bring Especially Tough Recoveries
- PTSD Drug May Do More Harm Than Good
- Health Tip: What Causes Memory Loss?
- PTSD Patients Do Best When They Choose Their Treatment
- Firsthand 9/11 Exposure Fueling Alcohol- and Drug-Related Deaths: Study
- 'Stress Hormone' Tied to Worse Memory in Middle Age
- 1 in 4 College Students Really Stressed Out by 2016 Election: Survey
- Xanax, Valium Tied to Higher Suicide Risk in COPD Patients With PTSD
- Flooding a Major Health Danger as Michael's Fury Continues
- Sexual Assault Has Long-Term Mental, Physical Impact
- A Little 'Horseplay' Eases Veterans' Mind, Body & Soul
- Health Tip: Help Manage Stress
- PTSD May Have Put Hearts of 9/11 First Responders at Risk
- Native American Teens at Higher Risk for Substance Abuse
- Severe Stress May Send Immune System Into Overdrive
- First Ketamine Guidelines for Pain Released
- Dogs May Help Soothe Vets With PTSD
- Ariana Grande Reveals PTSD a Year After Concert Bomb Attack
- PTSD May Raise Odds for Irregular Heartbeat
- Ecstasy May Help Some PTSD Sufferers, but Safety Issues Remain
- Health Tip: Handle a Child's Traumatic Stress
- Can Just 5 Therapy Sessions Work for Those With PTSD?
- Cancer Survivors Can Develop PTSD, Too
- PTSD After Head Injury May Signal Brain Changes
- Risky Behavior Triggers Vicious Cycle for Vets With PTSD
- PTSD, Brain Injuries Common Among U.S. Troops Discharged for Misconduct: Report
- 'Fight or Flight' Response Greater in Combat Vets With PTSD: Study
- Genes May Govern Your Risk for PTSD
- A 'Brainwave' to Help Fight PTSD
- Trauma as a Teen May Boost Depression Risk Around Menopause
- Parents of Kids With Heart Defects Face PTSD Risk: Study
- Sleep May Help People Process Traumatic Events
- Turning to an Ancient Art to Help Ease PTSD in Veterans
- FDA Approves Large Studies of Ecstasy to Treat PTSD
- PTSD May Affect Boys, Girls Differently, Brain Scans Show
- Parents Often Miss Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Kids
- Be Alert for PTSD After Pregnancy Loss
- Childhood PTSD May Leave Imprint on Brain
- Mindfulness Training May Ease PTSD
- PTSD May Stiffen Veterans' Arteries, Boosting Heart Risks
- Heart Defects at Birth May Raise Risk for PTSD Later in Life
- Earthquake Survivors With PTSD Show Brain Differences
- Cyberbullying, Violence Linked to PTSD in Teens
- Pregnancy May Ease PTSD for Some Women, Study Finds
- Wearable Electric Patch May Ease PTSD
- Small Study Sees Differences in Brains of Soldiers With PTSD
- Transcendental Meditation May Help Relieve PTSD
- Study Maps Areas of Brain Linked to PTSD
- Brain's Signaling Systems Might Determine PTSD Severity: Study
- Severe Combat Injuries Linked to Risk of Chronic Diseases
- PTSD Can Affect Female Vietnam War Vets, Too: Study
- Women Soldiers No More Likely to Develop PTSD, Study Finds
- Mindfulness Therapy Might Help Ease PTSD
- PTSD Symptoms Persist for Thousands of Vietnam Vets, Study Finds
- Plane Passengers' Near-Death Experience Gives Clues to Trauma's Effect on Brain
- Trauma, PTSD May Raise Women's Odds of Heart Attack, Stroke: Study
- Vets With PTSD Might Need Sleep Apnea Screening: Study
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder May Be Linked to Accelerated Aging
- Combat Deployment Just One Factor That May Cause Smoking
- Family Stress May Figure in Soldiers' Suicide Risk
- 'Killing Fields' Survivors Struggle With PTSD
- Parents of Young Stroke Victims at Risk for PTSD, Researchers Find
- 'Hidden' Brain Damage Seen in Vets With Blast Injuries: Study
- PTSD May Raise Women's Risk for Diabetes
- PTSD in Women Linked to Premature Birth
- Mini-Strokes May Lead to PTSD, Study Finds
- U.S. Pledges Millions to Study Ways to Ease Soldiers' Pain
- PTSD Link to Food Addiction Seen in Report
- Research Shows Possible Neurological Patterns for PTSD Symptoms
- Muscle and Bone Injuries, Mental Disorders Plagued U.S. Iraq War Vets
- Too Little Known About PTSD Treatments for Veterans, Experts Say
- More U.S. Service Members in Treatment for Mental Health Disorders
- ICU Patients at Much Greater Risk for PTSD: Study
- Poor Sleep in Gulf War Vets May Be Tied to Brain Changes
- College Drinking May Aggravate PTSD Symptoms
- No Rise of PTSD Seen in Children With Cancer
- Therapy That Confronts Trauma of Sexual Abuse Helped Teen Girls With PTSD
- Brain Injuries Tied to PTSD in Marines
- Coverage of Boston Bombings Unnerved Many: Study
- Military Contractors Suffer High Rates of PTSD, Study Finds
- PTSD Might Lead to Sizable Weight Gain in Women
- Boston Bombing Triggered Flashbacks in Vets With PTSD, Study Finds
- New Test Spots Risk for PTSD in Injured Kids
- Shopping Doesn't Help in Face of Trauma, Researchers Say
- Joint Alcohol-PTSD Treatment Appears Effective, Study Finds
- U.S. Troops' Suicide Risk Tied to Mental Illness, Not Combat: Study
- Sleep Apnea Treatment Eases Nightmares in Vets With PTSD: Study
- Depression Common in Those With PTSD, Study Finds
- PTSD After Heart Attack Linked to Poor Sleep
- Helping Children Make Sense of the Senseless
- Severely Injured Vets May Need Ongoing Emotional Care
- U.S. Must Step Up Response to Vets, Report Says
- Brain Changes Could Contribute to Gulf War Illness: Study
- Stress Disorder May Be Common Among ICU Patients on Ventilators
- 1 in 4 Breast Cancer Diagnoses May Spur PTSD
- Long Waits in the ER May Raise PTSD Risk for Heart Patients
- Most U.S. Soldiers May Suffer From Sleep Problems
- PTSD Can Hamper Drug Treatment for Stroke Survivors: Study
- Chronic Worry Linked to Higher Risk of PTSD
- Violence in a Soldier's Past May Up PTSD Risk
- Undiagnosed Eye Problems Plague Some U.S. Veterans
- Brain Anatomy May Play Role in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- For Many, 'Superstorm' Sandy Could Take Toll on Mental Health
- Melatonin May Improve Sleep for People on Blood-Pressure Meds
- Complementary Medicine May Help Soldiers With PTSD: Study
- Young Children Treated for Cancer May Be at Risk for PTSD: Study
- Vets' Readjustment Issues May Spur PTSD Treatment
- PTSD Treatment and Couple Therapy Go Hand in Hand
- 'Virtual' Patients New Addition to Psychiatry?
- Improve Care for Veterans With PTSD: Report
- PTSD Unrecognized Risk Among Heart Attack Patients
- Wartime Killing May Raise Veterans' Thoughts of Suicide
- Witnessing, Experiencing Traumatic Events May Worsen Heart Disease
- 911 Dispatchers May Suffer From Post-Traumatic Stress
- U.S. Army Suicides Rising Sharply, Study Finds
- Narcotic Painkillers Another Threat to Traumatized War Vets: Study
- National Guard Deployment May Sometimes Trigger Alcohol Abuse
- In Dollars Alone, Cost of U.S. Child Abuse High
- U.S. Military Women Exposed to More Combat Than Ever Before
- Sleep Might Help Deepen Traumatic Memories
- Health Highlights: Jan. 11, 2012
- In the Age of Email, the Good, Old Letter Still Holds Sway
- Millions of Americans Are Victims of Sexual Violence: CDC
- School Shooting Study Yields Genetic Links to PTSD
- Study: Antipsychotic Drug Does Not Help Veterans With PTSD
- PTSD Peaks at Different Ages in Men, Women
- Researchers Use Ecstasy to Treat PTSD
- Local Anesthetic May Relieve PTSD Symptoms
- PTSD Treatment Still Lacking for Veterans
- Scientists Read Brain's Magnetic Fields to Spot PTSD
- Young Vets With PTSD More Prone to Heart Risk Factors
- Exposure Therapy Effective in Preventing Post-Traumatic Stress
- Depression, PTSD Common Among Lung Transplant Patient Caregivers
- Mood Disorders Put Breast Cancer Patients at Risk for PTSD
- Vietnam Vets Study Links Asthma and PTSD
- Parents' PTSD May Boost Stress in Offspring
- Battle Continues Over Vietnam PTSD Numbers
- Common PTSD Drug May Be Useless
- Don't Fear the Dentist
- How Families Can Help Children Cope with Fear and Anxiety
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder FAQs
- Anxiety Disorder FAQs
- Anxiety Disorders Quiz
- Mental Disorders in America
- Anxiety and Cancer Patients
- Children's Mental Health Facts
- Estrogen Source of Stress
- Stress, Depression and Drug Abuse: Fallout of 9-11
- Talking with Children About the Terrorist Attacks
- Depression Screening
- Helping Your Child or Teen Cope with Trauma
- Stress: How To Manage Stress
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