PTSD and Stress: Can You Suggest A Better Course of Treatment?
Our resident clinical psychologists offer replies to reader questions submitted anonymously to Ask the Psychologist.
Reader’s Question
I have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (chronic prolonged anxiety since the age of 8 and anxiety attacks), fluid still coming out of my breasts since the birth of my son (he’s 3, and the prolactin test came back normal), and weight gain if I’m not exercising constantly. I’ve had severe acne (which has been treated with Accutane twice but it keeps coming back). I can’t “go to the bathroom” unless I take Metamucil. I’ve always bruised easily. I will sleep 13 hours a night…Trazadone really helps with that. I don’t feel depressed, my body just feels sooo stressed all the time. Right now I’m taking Zoloft, Budeprion and Trazadone.
Can you suggest a better course of treatment?
Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply
While medications are very helpful, they are not the perfect cure. The best way to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, and Stress is with a combination of medication and counseling/psychotherapy. I would add counseling/therapy to your treatment program. By your description, your stress level remains high, a situation often produced by issues in our environment. Medications do not change issues in our environment, but counseling/therapy can address those issues that create, continue, and increase our stress.
Other questions answered by Dr Joseph M Carver, PhD
This article was last reviewed by on Monday, 1st October 2007.
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http://counsellingresource.com/ask-the-psychologist/2007/10/01/ptsd-and-stress/
