title: Posttraumatic stress disorder: characteristics and treatment.
abstract: This Distance Rounds reviews the DSM-IV definition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated features. PTSD is a prevalent mental health problem that occurs in some people after combat or civilian trauma and is influenced by certain risk factors. Psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy have both been found efficacious, and treatment selection should be tailored to the individual patient. Pharmacotherapy options include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, atypical antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and medications for trauma-related nightmares. Treatment often involves multiple modalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mellman
authors.forename: R Bruce
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Lydiard
mesh_terms: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors