Medication has been found to alleviate the symptoms of hyperarousal, rage, affective symptoms, intrusive thoughts, and outbursts of emotions (APA, 1997).  By masking these symptoms, the medications allow some individuals to participate more fully in group and individual therapy sessions.

Longitudinal research has shown that PTSD can become a chronic psychiatric disorder that can persist for decades and sometimes for a lifetime (Friedman, 1996).  Patients with a longitudinal course often exhibit a series of remissions and relapses.

In Williams and Sommer's (1994) comprehensve book of treatment, it is reported that the most succesful theraputic interventions are those implemented immediately following the traumatic event.  This is sometimes called the critical incident stress debriefing (CISD).  Often, the CISD will not only prevent an acute repsonse to trauma, but will forestall the later development of PTSD (Friedman, 1996).

Unfortunately, treatment for the chronic PTSD patient is less successful.  Currently, the best treatment appears to be group therapy (see "Treatment" for more information) (Foa, et al., 1995; Davidson & Neal, 1998).  This approach has been most successful with war veterans, rape/incest survivors, and natural disastor victims.

Long-term outcomes vary.  In one study of patients with chronic PTSD, patients were given intense daily therapy for at least a month.  While the majority improved, two years later most of them had relapsed (Long, 1997).  The findings of most research on survivors of the Holocaust and World War II veterans are more optimistic.  Typically, after 30 or 40 years most individuals have occasional flashbacks or nightnmares, yet most are emotionally stable.  The prospect for victims of incest and child abuse appears to be worst of all (Long, 1997).

à Link to "Treatment" for more information.

Questions?  E-mail the author: Gregory Bayse 

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