The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for PTSD treatment.
The bottom line
SSRI and SNRIs) have the most evidence to support their use as treatments for PTSD. Zoloft and Paxil are both FDA-approved PTSD medications. Prozac and Effexor XR are first-choice options that are prescribed off-label.
In primary care, the recommended first-line pharmacotherapy agents for treating PTSD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine 20–40 mg once daily for at least 10 weeks. Second-line pharmacological interventions include the use of mirtazapine or phenelzine.
What disability benefits can I get for PTSD? If you qualify under the conditions of Services Australia, you could receive a disability support pension for your trauma-related psychological illness. Alternatively, Centrelink may pay income benefits if you fail to meet their requirements.
NDIS covers PTSD when it is classified as a psychosocial disability. Those with a significant disability that is likely to be permanent, may qualify for NDIS support.
Triggers can include sights, sounds, smells, or thoughts that remind you of the traumatic event in some way. Some PTSD triggers are obvious, such as seeing a news report of an assault. Others are less clear. For example, if you were attacked on a sunny day, seeing a bright blue sky might make you upset.
Relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, massage, or yoga can activate the body's relaxation response and ease symptoms of PTSD. Avoid alcohol and drugs. When you're struggling with difficult emotions and traumatic memories, you may be tempted to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.
Symptoms of complex PTSD
avoiding situations that remind a person of the trauma. dizziness or nausea when remembering the trauma. hyperarousal, which means being in a continual state of high alert. the belief that the world is a dangerous place.
For some people, loud noises, crowds, and flashing lights can trigger debilitating symptoms. For others, PTSD triggers may be subtler, including smells or locations that remind the individual of the traumatic experience.
PTSD symptoms usually appear soon after trauma. For most people, these symptoms go away on their own within the first few weeks and months after the trauma. For some, the symptoms can last for many years, especially if they go untreated. PTSD symptoms can stay at a fairly constant level of severity.
The PTSD medications that are most frequently prescribed are Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Effexor (venlafaxine). Zoloft and Paxil are FDA-approved for treating PTSD, but other medications are often prescribed off-label depending on an individual's specific needs.
SSRIs are considered first-line therapy for PTSD, in view of treatment guideline recommendations and the results of numerous clinical trials. Sertraline and paroxetine are the only antidepressants approved by the FDA for the treatment of PTSD and are the most extensively studied SSRIs for this indication.
For physical health problems, this could include labs (like bloodwork), tests (like an x-ray, scan or biopsy) or a physical exam. For PTSD, an assessment includes answering questions about your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. PTSD is most often diagnosed, or confirmed, by a mental health provider.
Symptoms of PTSD
There may be intense emotional or physical reactions when reminded of the event including sweating, heart palpitations, anxiety or panic. Avoiding reminders of the event, such as thoughts, feelings, people, places, activities or situations that bring back memories of the event.
Core neurochemical features of PTSD include abnormal regulation of catecholamine, serotonin, amino acid, peptide, and opioid neurotransmitters, each of which is found in brain circuits that regulate/integrate stress and fear responses.
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (complex PTSD, sometimes abbreviated to c-PTSD or CPTSD) is a condition where you experience some symptoms of PTSD along with some additional symptoms, such as: difficulty controlling your emotions. feeling very angry or distrustful towards the world.
With the right help, you may be eligible for a TPD insurance lump sum or Disability Support Pension through Centrelink. It's possible to qualify for both! With the right medical evidence and support, you can successfully claim your insurance money.
TPD claims for PTSD
Note: TPD payout amounts are dependant on your policy, your age and what your superfund offers its members. TPD cover usually starts from approximately $10,000 and can go up to 1 million generally. For higher than 1 million you may have opted for higher cover prior to being TPD.
The NDIS aims to provide better access to high quality, personalised, and innovative supports and services to enhance the independence and social and economic participation of people with disabilities and their carers. The NDIS funds several critical services for people with PTSD.