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VA » Health Care » PTSD: National Center for PTSD » Treatment » Medications

PTSD: National Center for PTSD

Medications

“Find the medication that works for you.”

Craig "Stu" Shipley

U.S. Marine Corps, 1964-1968

Medications

Certain medications can be used to treat PTSD symptoms. Learn more about which medications are most effective for PTSD and those that are not recommended.

Medications for PTSD
Medications that have been shown to be helpful in treating PTSD symptoms are some of the same medications also used for symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Benzodiazepines for PTSD
Some medications, including benzodiazepines (or "benzos"), are not recommended for PTSD. Benzodiazepines are medications given by a doctor to improve anxiety and sleep. They do not help with PTSD symptoms and can have serious side effects over time.

Which PTSD Treatment Is Best for You?

No one treatment is right for everyone. Learn about effective treatment options with PTSD Treatment Decision Aid. You can read about different treatments, hear advice from people who have been through these treatments, and watch videos of providers explaining how the treatments work. You can also build a chart to compare the treatments you like the most and print a personalized summary that lists your symptoms, treatment preferences, and questions to share with your provider.