Counseling and Medication Offer Help for PTSD and Related Symptoms

A new AHRQ evidence review conducted in partnership with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) identified several therapies that decrease post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms. Those therapies include psychotherapies, such as cognitive behavioral exposure therapies and cognitive behavioral therapies with mixed components, and certain medications, such as paroxetine, fluoxetine and venlafaxine. According to the report, however, most studies had limited information about adverse events related to therapy or medications. Evidence was insufficient on how treatments compare to each other or to determine how treatment choices might be guided by the type of trauma experienced. About 8 million adults have PTSD during a given year, according to data from the National Center for PTSD at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Access the Psychological and Pharmacological Treatments for Adults With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review Update, which was funded by PCORI.