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Frequency:
Mortality/Morbidity:
Sex:
Age:
One study found that nearly half (48%) of the patients in general
medical practices with PTSD were receiving no mental health treatment at
the time of intake to the study. The most common reason patients gave for
not receiving medication was the failure of physicians to recommend such
treatment. The information elicited from the interview with the patient must
satisfy certain diagnostic criteria to make the formal diagnosis. As with many
diagnoses, PTSD can be subclinical, in which the criteria are almost but not
fully met. Diagnosis is based on criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. The mental status
examination should routinely consist of questions about exposure to trauma
3
or abuse.
adults.
anxiety or depression.
Many different drugs have been used to treat specific symptoms of
PTSD, such as benzodiazepines for anxiety, anticonvulsants for impulsivity
and emotional lability, and clonidine for nightmares. However, the principal
agents of treatment have been the various antidepressants and beta-
blockers. Most medication trials on PTSD have involved male combat
veterans. Results of recent studies on civilians show fluoxetine to be
effective. Recent studies suggest that fluoxetine demonstrates some efficacy
for all 3 symptom clusters.
Prognosis:
• More than one third of patients who have PTSD never fully
recover.