title: Primary care treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
abstract: Post-traumatic stress disorder, a psychiatric disorder, arises following exposure to perceived life-threatening trauma. Its symptoms can mimic those of anxiety or depressive disorders, but with appropriate screening, the diagnosis is easily made. Current treatment strategies combine patient education; pharmacologic interventions, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, trazodone and clonidine; and psychotherapy. As soon after the trauma as possible, techniques to prevent the development of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as structured stress debriefings, should be administered. A high index of suspicion for post-traumatic stress disorder is needed in patients with a history of significant trauma.
authors.affiliation: Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Cabaltica
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D013664:Teaching Materials
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents