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whenever we went to a restaurant I had
to sit with my back to a wall I had to
be able to see the exit if that wasn't
possible I would panic and leave
everywhere felt dangerous
once I started treatment for PTSD my
psychiatrist prescribed medicine that
really helped it took the edge off the
anxiety so I could work on my therapy
the nightmares were rough I had a lot of
trouble sleeping I kept seeing the same
horrible image while I was doing
cognitive processing therapy with my
psychologist my family doctor prescribed
an antidepressant
it helped me quiet my mind so I could
sleep and I was less agitated irritable
and depressed when therapy was hard
it helped me focus and move forward
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these are the voices of people who have
lived through a trauma and developed
symptoms of post-traumatic stress
disorder or PTSD and who have found
medication to be a useful part of their
treatment PTSD affects the way people
think act and interact with others it
can cause great distress but there is
good news
PTSD is treatable there are several
cognitive behavioral therapies which are
proven to help people process the trauma
including CP T PE and EMDR each therapy
helps people to change unhelpful
thoughts and behaviors that are related
to the traumatic experience and people
can get their lives back
in some cases medication is used in
combination with these treatments
antidepressants known as selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs
effect chemicals in the area of the
brain known to affect thinking and
reduce anxiety and depression for many
people struggling with PTSD these
medications can help reduce the thoughts
that feel stuck like when someone thinks
no place is safe or I can't handle this
the medications can also reduce some of
the irritability sadness agitation and
fear that might make treatment difficult
there are other medications sometimes
used to help with sleep nightmares or
other physical symptoms those
medications may help people feel more
comfortable but they don't directly
treat the diagnosis of PTSD regardless
it is always critical to have a
conversation with your medical provider
about how each medication works and what
you should expect of it evidence-based
therapies like CPT PE or EMDR are the
most effective treatments for addressing
and alleviating the overall condition
PTSD is a serious condition that affects
some people who have lived through
something traumatic it impacts people's
thoughts actions relationships hope for
the future and self-image but with the
help of an evidence-based therapy in
combination with an SSRI medication PTSD
doesn't have to last forever people go
on to live happy peaceful fulfilling
lives and the future looks hopeful again
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