Pilot evaluation of hypnotic medication during acute traumatic stress response.
Early intervention aimed at secondary prevention is a high priority for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research. Disrupted sleep may have a role in the initiation and maintenance of PTSD. Three of the participants were recruited from a surgical trauma service, and one had sought treatment in a psychiatric setting. All were within 1-3 weeks of trauma exposure and had acute PTSD symptoms that included disturbed sleep. Temazepam, a benzodiazepine hypnotic, was administered for 5 nights, tapered for 2 nights, and then discontinued. Evaluations 1-week after the medication had been discontinued revealed improved sleep and reduced PTSD severity. These observations suggest an approach that may be clinically useful and a need for more systematic trials.
Mellman
T A
TA
University of Miami, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Florida 33136, USA. TMellman@mednet.med.miami.edu
Byers
P M
PM
Augenstein
J S
JS
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001143:Arousal; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010865:Pilot Projects; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D013693:Temazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D013693:Temazepam