Top stories to read for PTSD Awareness Month

June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to encourage public understanding of PTSD and effective treatments.

To mark PTSD Awareness Month, as well as PTSD Awareness Day on June 27, Healio Psychiatry has compiled a list of stories highlighting recent research relevant to psychiatrists and clinicians treating patients with this disorder. These articles discuss the proposed ICD-11 diagnostic criteria, feature meeting news presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, examine prolonged exposure therapy, and more.

Proposed ICD-11 criteria may lead to fewer PTSD diagnoses

Proposed changes to PTSD diagnostic criteria in the upcoming ICD-11 could result in significantly fewer PTSD diagnoses, study data indicated. Read more.

VIDEO: Providing treatment options important for PTSD

NEW YORK — At the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, Elspeth “Cam” Ritchie, MD, MPD, from Washington Hospital Center and Healio Psychiatry Peer Perspective Board member, discussed the importance of giving patients with PTSD a range of treatment options to see what works best for them. Watch here.

VA program helps veterans, military personnel manage chronic PTSD

NEW YORK — A team of experts from the Miami VA Healthcare System and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine discussed an evidence-based collaborative care model used to treat veterans with chronic military-related PTSD in a poster presented at APA Annual Meeting. Read more.

PTSD linked to history of military sexual trauma in women

NEW YORK — Although major depressive disorder and PTSD were significantly associated with military trauma among both men and women, PTSD was specifically associated with history of military sexual trauma especially among women, according to poster data. Read more.

Adjunct MDMA shows potential in reducing PTSD symptoms

Results from a phase 2 study showed that supervised administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, known as MDMA, delivered in a controlled setting with adjunctive psychotherapy was well-tolerated and effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in veterans and first responders. Read more.

Individual placement and support helps veterans with PTSD obtain employment

More veterans with PTSD who received individual placement and support, or IPS, attained steady employment compared with those who received stepwise vocational rehabilitation, according to research findings. Read more.

Transcendental Meditation eases veterans’ PTSD symptoms

Research published in Military Medicine demonstrated that practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique helped relieve symptoms of PTSD among veterans. Read more.

Two-week prolonged exposure therapy as effective as 8-week therapy for PTSD

Clinical trial results showed that a 2-week, massed course of prolonged exposure therapy was noninferior to an 8-week spaced course among active military personnel with PTSD, and reduced severity of symptoms more than minimal-contact control. Read more.

Pre-reactivation propranolol therapy effective for PTSD

Trauma memory reactivation performed while using propranolol appears to effectively treat PTSD symptoms, according to study findings. Read more.

Service members’ mental health needs unmet, some seek civilian care

Findings published in Military Medicine report that due to the substantial, unmet need for mental health services and care in the military, many service members seek care in the civilian sector. Read more.