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Which PTSD Treatment is Right for Me?

There are several effective treatments for PTSD. This means that people with PTSD have options.

The National Center for PTSD created the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid to help people learn about these options and think about which treatment might be best for them. This online decision aid can help you:

Learn about PTSD and PTSD Treatment

Find up-to-date information on the most effective PTSD treatment options, hear advice from people who have been through these treatments, and watch videos of providers explaining how these treatments work.

Compare PTSD Treatments

Answer a few questions about what you like and don't like to determine which treatment might be the best fit for you. Build a chart to compare the treatments you like most. At the end, you can get a personal summary.

Take Action to Start Treatment

Get tips on how to talk with your provider about which PTSD treatment is right for you. Visit the handy FAQ section to find answers to the most common questions about PTSD treatment. Set goals for yourself and add deadlines to your calendar to help you stay on track.

Why use the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid?

• If you've just been diagnosed with PTSD and are wondering what treatments are effective
• If you think you might be ready for PTSD treatment, but don't know how to get started
• If you want to have an active role in choosing your PTSD treatment
• If you need a hand describing your symptoms, questions, and treatment preferences to your provider

This decision aid was developed for people with PTSD, but family members and providers can use it, too.

Family members or loved ones of someone with PTSD can use this decision aid to learn more about PTSD treatment options. That way, they'll be prepared to help their loved one choose which treatment to receive.

Providers can use this decision aid to find current, comprehensive information about evidence-based PTSD treatments. See how expert providers describe these treatments and download handouts to print and share with your patients.

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For Providers

Using the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid with your Clients

The PTSD Treatment Decision Aid can teach your patients the basics about evidence-based treatments, including:

• Cognitive Processing Therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
• Prolonged Exposure
• Stress Inoculation Training
• SSRIs and SNRIs

Patients can use the decision aid on their own, or you can work through it together during an appointment. At the end, your patient will receive a personal summary. Use this as a jumping-off point to discuss next steps for treatment.

Visit our website for more information and to download the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid Clinician's User Guide that contains helpful tips on how best to use the decision aid. Other materials include a customizable slide deck and flyers you can share.

Questions about the Decision Aid? Consult with PTSD Experts

The PTSD Consultation Program offers free PTSD consultation to any provider who treats Veterans in any setting.

This program is now open to Community Providers.

PTSD Lecture Series

Free continuing education credits for our monthly lecture series.

4/19 at 2 pm ET - Ilse Wiechers, MD, MPP on Safely Tapering Benzodiazepines in Older Adults with PTSD

Mark your calendar for the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2 pm ET.

Subscribe to receive monthly emails that include a registration link and instructions for joining the live lectures.

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Research at the Center

Studies on Decision Making

Researchers are studying the economic, psychological and neurobiological approaches to the study of decision-making in young and older adults comparing financial attitudes and views with function and structural MRI. The proposed studies are likely to lead to significant insights into the behavioral and neurobiological processes that underlie decision-making in elders, and thus are likely to contribute to improving the quality of life of a large proportion of the population.

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PTSD in the News

PTSD: Misconceptions and the Latest Treatments. Dr. Sonya Norman answers questions about common misconceptions related to PTSD and the latest treatments for the condition. Read more.*

Be sure to forward this update to others so they can subscribe. We send one update per month to keep you informed of the latest PTSD developments.

Thank you,

The Staff of VA’s National Center for PTSD

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