In a recent post on the PLOS blog network's Mind the Brain, Shaili Jain, MD, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford, discusses some of the recent innovations in treating post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She writes:
I approach PTSD treatment with a basic belief that we already have pretty good treatments, and the issues with getting better outcomes for PTSD lie more in how we implement those treatments, the limitations of the systems that provide care, massive issues of access to care (i.e. those who need care the most simply can’t access it for a myriad of reasons), and healthcare disparities (that an individual’s outcomes for PTSD are more likely linked to their zip code as opposed to their genes/neurotransmitters).
...I usually have a healthy skepticism toward the experimental or magic bullets type of treatments for PTSD, which often get a lot of media attention and can be very seductive to the brain of a researcher or clinician who spends their days trying to help individuals who live with PTSD.
Still, today I am curbing my skepticism and with much enthusiasm am writing about some of the hottest ideas for innovation in the treatment of PTSD.
She goes on to examine the scientific evidence behind seven experimental treatments, ranging from mind-body practices to the medication Memantine.
Previously: Examining an app’s effectiveness at helping those with PTSD, Examining House of Cards’ Frank Underwood, “a textbook case of antisocial personality disorder”, The promise of yoga-based treatments to help veterans with PTSD and Relieving stress, anxiety and PTSD with emerging technologies
