Treatment options for pediatric PTSD and trauma symptoms are limited, and the symptoms are clearly detrimental to youths’ functioning, particularly in the presence of comorbid disorders.

PTDS is one of the greatest mental health concerns in veterans, but there is a stigma, among veterans, on issues related to seeking mental health services. Dr. Kean discusses effective screening methods, current findings and treatment options.

A new study, however, finds that DCS does not improve treatment responses in patients undergoing prolonged exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

Over the past decade or so, atypical antipsychotic use has exploded, for both FDA approved indications and off-label treatments.

In the US, 60% of children report exposure to violence, abuse or other trauma in the past year. Traumatized children like Karina can present to treatment with a range of symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, disruptive behaviors, mood dysregulation, and developmental regression.

First line treatment of PTSD should always consist of psychotherapy but medications are often used in the hopes of further improving symptoms.

TF-CBT has strong evidence of improving a wide variety of problems, including PTSD, depression, anxiety and fear, behavior
problems, and trauma-related shame, as well as improving parental functioning.

While psychotherapy remains the gold standard for treatment of post traumatic stress disorder, medications are often used to alleviate the symptoms of the illness.

To begin with, Dr. Friedman, I’d like to start with the diagnosis of PTSD. Given that patients sometimes come to us for disability evaluations and therefore have a secondary gain for getting the PTSD diagnosis, do you have any good tips for how we can be sure that we are making the proper diagnosis?

A recent issue of the Journal of Anxiety Disorders (Vol. 21, 2007) focused on the troubling possibility that the PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) construct is not nearly as valid as has been assumed. The articles are both fascinating and provocative and are well worth reading.