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PTSD: National Center for PTSD

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Ismene L. Petrakis, MD

 

Ismene L. Petrakis, MD

Ismene L. Petrakis, MD

Acting Deputy Director

Clinical Neurosciences Division

See staff directory for contact information.

Academic Appointment

  • Yale University School of Medicine, Professor of Psychiatry

Education

  • Resident in Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 1988-1991
  • Intern, Norwalk Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, 1987-1988
  • University of Pittsburgh, M.D. 1987
  • Northwestern University, B.A. 1983

Expertise and Interests

  • PTSD with Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder
  • PTSD with Comorbid Opioid Use Disorder
  • Neurobiology of PTSD with Comorbid Substance Use Disorder

Membership in Professional Societies

  • Pain Management and Opioid Safety in the Veterans Health Administration, "Effective Management of Pain and Addiction: Strategies to Improve Opioid Safety" State of the Art (SOTA) Planning Committee Member
  • Member, American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training
  • Associate Editor, Case-Series for American Journal of Addictions
  • Member, Editorial Board for Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment
  • Chair, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) Area Directors, Program Committee
  • Co-Editor, Journal of Addiction Medicine

Awards and Honors

  • David M. Worthen Career Achievement Award
  • The Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM)
  • National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) Award for Vision and Leadership
  • The Stephen Fleck Faculty Award as exemplary physician and clinical teacher, Yale University School of Medicine

Selected Publications

Palmisano AN, Fogle BM, Tsai J, Petrakis IL, Pietrzak RH. (2021) Disentangling the Association Between PTSD Symptom Heterogeneity and Alcohol Use Disorder: Results from the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 142:179-187. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.046

Petrakis I, Ralevski E, Arias A, DeNegre D, Newcomb J, Gianoli M, McCarthy E, Meshberg-Cohen S, Yoon G. (2020) Zonisamide as an Adjunctive treatment to cognitive processing therapy for Veterans with PTSD and Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder: A Pilot Study. The American Journal on Addictions, 29(6):515-524. doi:10.1111/ajad.13061

Duek O, Pietrzak RH, Petrakis I, Hoff R, Harpaz-Rotem I. (2020) Early discontinuation of pharmacotherapy in U.S. veterans diagnosed with PTSD and the role of psychotherapy. J Psychiatr Res, 132:167-173. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.10.005

Ralevski E, Southwick S, Petrakis I. (2020) Trauma- and Stress-Induced Craving for Alcohol in Individuals Without PTSD. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 55(1):37-43. doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agz092

Verplaetse T, Ralevski R, Roberts W, Gueorguieva R, McKee S, Petrakis I. (2019). Alcohol abstainer status and prazosin treatment in association with change in PTSD symptoms in Veterans with comorbid AUD and PTSD. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 43(4):741-746. doi:10.1111/acer.13969

Members of the press interested in scheduling an interview please see the contact for the media page.

PTSD Information Voice Mail: (802) 296-6300
Email: ncptsd@va.gov
Also see: VA Mental Health