Another popular treatment ap-

proach is exposure therapy, which attempts to ease a patient’s fear of the thoughts, feelings, or situations related to trauma through repetitive talk with a therapist. “With the help of your therapist, you can change how you react to the stressful memo- ries,” explains the National Center for PTSD on its website. “Talking in a place where you feel secure makes this easier.” Many veterans find relief through

group therapy, which involves dis- cussing trauma with those who have had similar experiences. And others have experienced significant im- provement through the use of medi- cations such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are antidepressant medications that can help patients feel less sad and worried. Common examples of SSRIs include Celexa, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. Serotonin–norepineph- rine reuptake inhibitors, such as Venlafaxine, address depressive and mood disorders common to post- traumatic stress. “The one thing I want to em- phasize is that we have very effec- tive, evidence-based treatments for PTSD,” Schnurr says. “Patients are encouraged to try those treatments, as well as the types of CAMs that make sense to them. You no longer have to live with PTSD.” As for McCasland, he has be-

come a vocal advocate for the use of complementary approaches to post-traumatic stress. “Just medica- tion can’t help,” he says. “Just talking can’t help. There are other things we need to consider when we’re talking about trauma and trying not just to live with it but to thrive afterward. And these complementary methods can be very helpful.”

MO

— Don Vaughan is a freelance writer based in North Carolina. His last feature article for Military Officer was “Readiness in Reserve,” August 2015.

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