PTSD
A careful clinical evaluation provides insight and clarity on ptsd. Diagnosis and treatment depend on a thorough understanding of your history, biology, and environment. We emphasize an evidence-based approach to finding sustainable relief.
Overview
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It's a neurobiological response involving changes in the brain and stress hormone systems, not a sign of weakness. Symptoms fall into four clusters: reliving the trauma, avoidance, negative changes in mood/thinking, and changes in arousal/reactivity.
How it's diagnosed
Diagnosis is a clinical process based on a structured interview and timeline. A clinician assesses qualifying traumatic events and evaluates symptoms across the four clusters, often using tools like the PCL-5. Medical contributors and co-occurring conditions (depression, anxiety, substance use) must be considered.
Non-medication strategies
Psychotherapy is the primary and most robustly supported treatment. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and EMDR have strong evidence. The therapeutic relationship and active engagement are central.
Medication strategies
Medication is generally adjunctive. The FDA has approved SSRIs like sertraline and paroxetine, while SNRIs like venlafaxine are also recommended first-line alternatives. Prazosin may be used for nightmares. Benzodiazepines are not recommended due to their interference with fear extinction.
Get clarity on your symptoms
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Selected Sources & Clinical Disclaimer
These pages are educational only and are not a diagnosis, medical advice, or a substitute for a clinician’s evaluation. Diagnosis and treatment depend on history, symptom duration, impairment, safety risk, medical factors, medications, substances, and clinician judgment. If someone is in crisis, they should call 911, 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Information informed by guidelines and literature from:
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines
• NICE Guidelines (UK)
• National Center for PTSD
• SAMHSA