Abstract
The present study investigated the effect of amitriptyline on PTSD symptoms in a torture survivor 7 years after the trauma. After a pretreatment assessment period of 1 month, amitriptyline 150 mg nocte was started and assessments were carried out up to 8 months. An overall improvement of 70% was noted 6 weeks after the start of treatment. Improvement was most marked in depression, anxiety, and in social and work adjustment but less so in PTSD symptoms. Residual symptoms included nightmares, constricted affect, aggressive urges, startle response, and phobic avoidance. The drug effect was partial and likely to disappear on discontinuation. The limitations of drug treatment indicate the need for combined psychotherapy for lasting improvement. Evidence so far suggests that behavioral approach in the treatment of traumatic stress symptoms achieves more stable improvement.
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Başoğlu, M., Marks, I.M. & Sengün, S. Amitriptyline for PTSD in a torture survivor: A case study. J Trauma Stress 5, 77–83 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00976812
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00976812