Is There a Best Treatment for PTSD?

Both prolonged exposure (PE) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), particularly sertraline, are effective for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To determine their relative efficacy, researchers assessed intent-to-treat data in 207 veterans with PTSD related to combat in Iraq or Afghanistan (87% men) in a 24-week, double-blind, randomized trial of PE plus pill placebo, PE plus sertraline, or sertraline plus 30 minutes of medication management. Doses and administration of sertraline and PE were well standardized.

After 24 weeks, all treatments produced significant — but statistically similar — reductions in Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) scores and self-rated PTSD symptoms. The PE groups had significantly more dro…