title: Posttraumatic stress disorder. Safe, effective management in the primary care setting.
abstract: PTSD is a severe and chronic psychiatric condition. Because of the complex symptoms, no single treatment is effective. Pharmacologic treatment is an integral component of a multidisciplinary approach that addresses the psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of PTSD. Psychopharmacologic agents provide symptomatic relief and are beneficial in managing other comorbid psychiatric conditions. Primary care physicians can base treatment decisions on the patient's prevailing symptoms. Specialized psychiatric consultation may be needed in difficult and complicated cases.
authors.affiliation: VA Central California Health Care System, 2615 E Clinton Ave, Fresno, CA 93703, USA. hani.khouzam2@med.va.gov
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Khouzam
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors