Understanding and treating PTSD: past, present, and future
Tucker, P.; Trautman, R.
Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic 64(3 Suppl A): A37-A51
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-9284 PMID: 11002529 Document Number: 522236
After highlighting historical perspectives of posttraumatic stress symptoms, the authors describe PTSD's diagnostic features, frequent co-occurring symptoms and psychiatric disorders, and risk factors for developing this often chronic and disabling illness. In addition, they summarize research findings on the neurobiology of PTSD, including changes in neurotransmitters, hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, autonomic reactivity, and differences in brain structure and function. Finally, they present psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments, concluding that current clinical practice favors a combination of these two types of treatment, tailored to the patient's needs.