Pharmacotherapy of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Treatment Options, Long-Term Follow-Up, and Predictors of Outcome

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and disabling condition. Treatment is essentialto reduce symptoms, increase the patient’s functioning and well-being, and reduce comorbidity withother psychological disorders. Evidence suggests that psychopharmacologic therapy can be effectivein PTSD. This article considers clinical data for various pharmacologic treatment options for PTSD;in particular, several recent studies of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are examined. The longtermeffects of pharmacotherapy and issues concerning patient management are also discussed.