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Maximizing treatment outcome in post-traumatic stress disorder by combining psychotherapy with pharmacotherapy

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Abstract

There are no systematic data available on combining medication and psychotherapy in the treatment of individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), despite its widespread practice. Careful review of the acute trials literature reveals that psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments each leave a substantial proportion of individuals with residual symptoms. This paper discusses a treatment model involving a phaseoriented treatment approach that begins with pharmacotherapy and continues with trauma-focused psychotherapy. Other combined approaches also are discussed. A rationale supporting the need for psychosocial treatment in the majority of patients who receive pharmacotherapy for chronic PTSD is presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anxiety Disorders Clinic, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, 3rd Floor, 10032, New York, NY, USA

    Randall D. Marshall MD

  2. Payne Whitney Clinic, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 525 East 68th Street, 10021, New York, NY, USA

    Marylene Cloitre PhD

Authors
  1. Randall D. Marshall MD
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  2. Marylene Cloitre PhD
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Marshall, R.D., Cloitre, M. Maximizing treatment outcome in post-traumatic stress disorder by combining psychotherapy with pharmacotherapy. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2, 335–340 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-000-0078-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-000-0078-3

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