Can PTSD Be Cured? Know The Available Treatments
Around 12 million U.S. adults have post-traumatic stress disorder in any given year. More women have it, as they’re twice as likely as men to have PTSD.
Regardless of gender, PTSD can happen to anyone who’s had a traumatic experience. Examples are being in combat or war or being a victim of a crime, such as rape or violence.
Such events can cause intense, disturbing feelings long after they’ve ended. They can be so severe that they interfere with a person’s daily life.
So can PTSD be cured, then? What are the available treatment options?
We’ll answer all those questions below, so please keep reading.
Can PTSD Be Cured?
Like with other mental illnesses, there are no definitive PTSD cures. So, doctors can’t make this disorder go away for good.
The good news is that there are several post-traumatic stress disorder treatment options. They may not cure PTSD but can help lessen the symptoms and their severity.
What Are Available PTSD Treatment Options?
Talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, is among the most common PTSD remedies. Doctors may also prescribe drugs to help relieve symptoms. Both treatments may be necessary in severe cases or if there’s a coexisting condition.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT)
CBT is talk therapy (psychotherapy) that uses several techniques.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is one of the most studied CBT techniques for PTSD. It aims to pinpoint beliefs and thoughts that trigger PTSD symptoms.
Once identified, therapists encourage patients to face those negativities head-on. They also teach patients techniques that can help change those negative emotions.
Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy can also help ease PTSD symptoms. It repeatedly exposes patients to trauma triggers in a safe and guided environment. Therapists then help their patients learn how to face, control, and cope with their fears.
Researchers say both CPT and PE therapy are effective in improving PTSD symptoms.
Medications
Antidepressants, drugs used to treat anxiety or depression, can also help with PTSD. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). They can help control PTSD symptoms and make patients participate better in psychotherapy.
Doctors may also administer ketamine, a drug often used for pain relief, to patients with PTSD. At very low doses, it can reduce symptoms of the disorder. Here’s a guide you can check to learn about ketamine and its uses in therapy.
Other Remedies for PTSD
Acupuncture is a Veterans Affairs-approved treatment for PTSD. It’s a traditional Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into the body. There’s growing evidence that it can help relieve PTSD symptoms.
Trauma-sensitive yoga may also help patients with PTSD better cope with their symptoms. Its goal is to teach people how to heighten body awareness, release tension, and control fear. It can also help patients learn how to calm their minds and emotions.
Seek Help for PTSD Today
As you’ve learned in this guide, the answer to the question “can PTSD be cured?” is no, it can’t. Fortunately, treatments like psychotherapy, medications, acupuncture, and yoga can help ease its symptoms.
Remember: PTSD increases one’s risk of suicide and other mental conditions. So if you or a loved one has PTSD, please don’t delay getting treatment.
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