The most common form of pharmaceutical medications that are used to treat PTSD are antidepressants which help ease the depressive symptoms that are caused by the disorder, such as feelings of sadness, guilt and/or emptiness (Doblin 2003). There are only two conventional pharmacological treatments that have been FDA approved for patients with PTSD. These two medications are Zoloft (sertalin) and Paxil (paroxetine). Both are antidepressants (SSRIs) that work on the brain’s serotonin receptors. These conventional psychiatric treatments have been effective at dulling the symptoms of PTSD but they have not helped with treating the underlying causes of the disorder. An alternative does exist, and many have claimed to have been cured after undergoing this non-conventional treatment. The treatment is known as MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and it has proven to have promising results.
This chapter will focus on the treatment of PTSD using the psychedelic MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine). Although other psychedelics have been used to treat PTSD, MDMA has been the most effective in helping sufferers of that specific disorder. PTSD is also the best clinical
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It was initially intended to be used as a blood clotting agent and its psychoactive properties were disregarded until years later in 1965 when psycho-pharmacologist Alexander Shulgin began synthesizing the substance. He tested MDMA on himself and was interested in the drug because of its effects, particularly on inhibition. Shulgin gives a preview of the substance’s therapeutic value when he reported that he “experienced the feeling one has after the second martini. That one is discoursing brilliantly and with particularly acute analytical powers.” The analytical powers that Shulgin mentioned will be assessed further into this chapter when MDMA’s neural mechanism is explained in greater
Introduction: For my research project I would like to explore the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs. Antidepressant drugs are used are used to treat major depression and other conditions, some of which include anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, chronic pain and other disorders. Around the world antidepressants are used to cure these types of mental illnesses. It is argued by both medical professionals and other people whether or not they believe that antidepressants work. According to Mayo Clinic one in ten Americans take an antidepressant. Today, antidepressants have became the most common way around the world to treat major depression
...ype of treatment available for post-traumatic stress disorder patients is psychotherapies. There are various types of psychotherapy that psychologist can use such as exposure therapy, psychoeducation or mindfulness training. In exposure therapy, the patient is recreating the traumatic event help get rid of the fear relating to the event. For example, James Francis Ryan could be put through a session where there was simulation of explosives going off or even airplane engine noises. Research by F.R. Schneier et al., 2012, found that antidepressant medication taken alongside exposure therapy was found to be more effective in treating the post-traumatic stress disorder (Sue, Sue, Sue, and Sue, 2014, p.127). Psychoeducation is also used with exposure therapy because it educates the patient with information about their disorder in order to understand it and cope with it.
Recently there have been advanced studies into the use of MDMA to help treat PTSD. MDMA is the purest form ...
Credibility material: Its intake results in adverse medical conditions that are further exalted by its addiction properties that ensure a continued intake of the substance. The drug can be abused through multiple means and is medically recorded to produce short-term joy, energy , and other effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. This ultimately results in numerous psychiatric and social problems; factors that played a major role in its illegalization after multiple and widespread cases of its effects were reported in the country during the 1900s. In addition to this, the drug results in immediate euphoric effect, a property which the National Institute of Drug Abuse (2010) attributes to be the root cause for its increased po...
the problems it created in the 60's because the average street dose is al least
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after a traumatic event (Riley). A more in depth definition of the disorder is given by Doctor’s Nancy Piotrowski and Lillian Range, “A maladaptive condition resulting from exposure to events beyond the realm of normal human experience and characterized by persistent difficulties involving emotional numbing, intense fear, helplessness, horror, re-experiencing of trauma, avoidance, and arousal.” People who suffer from this disease have been a part of or seen an upsetting event that haunts them after the event, and sometimes the rest of their lives. There are nicknames for this disorder such as “shell shock”, “combat neurosis”, and “battle fatigue” (Piotrowski and Range). “Battle fatigue” and “combat neurosis” refer to soldiers who have been overseas and seen disturbing scenes that cause them anxiety they will continue to have when they remember their time spent in war. It is common for a lot of soldiers to be diagnosed with PTSD when returning from battle. Throughout the history of wars American soldiers have been involved in, each war had a different nickname for what is now PTSD (Pitman et al. 769). At first, PTSD was recognized and diagnosed as a personality disorder until after the Vietnam Veterans brought more attention to the disorder, and in 1980 it became a recognized anxiety disorder (Piotrowski and Range). There is not one lone cause of PTSD, and symptoms can vary from hallucinations to detachment of friends and family, making a diagnosis more difficult than normal. To treat and in hopes to prevent those who have this disorder, the doctor may suggest different types of therapy and also prescribe medication to help subside the sympt...
Hundreds of thousands of United States veterans are not able to leave the horrors of war on the battlefield (“Forever at War: Veterans Everyday Battles with PTSD” 1). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the reason why these courageous military service members cannot live a normal life when they are discharged. One out of every five military service members on combat tours—about 300,000 so far—return home with symptoms of PTSD or major depression. According to the Rand Study, almost half of these cases go untreated because of the disgrace that the military and civil society attach to mental disorders (McGirk 1). The general population of the world has to admit that they have had a nightmare before. Imagine not being able to sleep one wink because every time you close your eyes you are forced to relive memories from the past that you are trying to bury deep. This is what happens to the unfortunate men and women who are struggling with PTSD. Veterans that are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder deserve the help they need.
In a world where mental illnesses like PTSD, depression, and autism are becoming more and more prevalent, MDMA, or “Ecstasy” is just the mental boost that someone needs and is illegally being dealt to patients while in therapy or counseling. The theory is that MDMA can raise “happiness levels” by forcing the brain to release serotonin and dopamine at the same time, resulting in intense euphoria and “ego softening” (Errowid). Some other side effects of MDMA can include feelings of inner peace, increase in social bonding, and an increase in ability to communicate. Some of the less positive side effects can be eye wiggling, increased heart rate, and dehydration. All of which, are quite manageable and not too noticeable. Sufferers of social anxiety and depression could greatly benefit from MDMA, as it can break down inner boundaries and increase the need to be around other people. A grou...
There are many different causes of PTSD such as sexual abuse, sudden death of a loved one, and war. Trauma affects people in different ways, some can develop it from watching a fellow soldier being killed, and some can develop it from losing their jobs or a divorce. Being diagnosed with PTSD is a difficult process because there are many other psychological disorders whose symptoms can overlap and are very similar. An important fact to remember is that PTSD doesn’t just affect the person suffering; it can also have secondhand effects on their spouses, children, parents, friends, co-workers, and other loved ones. Although there is no direct cure, there are many treatment and alternative treatment options to assist them in moving forward after a trauma.
According to the DSM5 major depressive describes a person who is in a depressed mood for most of the day, nearly everyday. The person also has a diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the time. There may be significant weight loss or gain as a result of decrease or increase of appetite, respectively. The person may also experience insomnia or hyper insomnia nearly everyday. There may also be a consistent feeling of fatigue or loss of energy. Usually in major depression, there are feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt. It is also common to have a diminished ability to think, concentrate, or experience indecisiveness. All of these symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. (DSM 5, 160-161)
Zoloft was first introduced to the United States in 1980’s. Another name for Zoloft is sertraline and is in a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. At first Zoloft was made to treat major depressive disorder, but as the drug progressed over time it can now treat panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Zoloft is the most commonly used antidepressant because it works extremely well, it is safe, and its side effects are not as serious as other antidepressants.
...h prescription drugs to cope with the intensity of PTSD, but there is one entity that truly has trumped PTSD when anybody else couldn't cause a dent. Anthony Swofford put his war stories in front of him whether than behind him. He challenged himself to get a degree and publish his experience for the world to read. Now Swoffford is everything but a victim to his enemy. Other American soldiers are haunted by the negative psychological effects resulting in the harsh symptoms of PTSD. In result, Doctors continue to spend large quantities of the governments money to find a cure, but maybe if instead they were to stop analyzing results and focus on the facts, the results in dealing with PTSD may change. Perhaps informing the ill with these facts will allow them to find their own way, just as Swofford did. Otherwise these entities will remain unknown and unanalyzed.
One must look beyond the stereotypes that psychedelics have earned in the twentieth century, and also modern science, that presupposes that any thing that cannot be explained within its own contexts either does not exist or is but a fanciful idea. However, the realm of psychedelics is uncharted area, and when dealing with such experimental substances, such as these psychedelic agents, one must proceed with caution, as was mentioned earlier the agents are powerful tools and can be used with skill or reckless abandon, and therefore can yield positive responses or deadly consequences. If used with care psychedelics will allow many psychologists and patients to embark on a perhaps endless journey of self-discovery.
When it comes to treatment, it becomes difficult because the victim has to be willing to work with their therapist or trained professional. Like stated early, some want to do better but refuse to accept their disorder. However, there are numerous ways to aid in helping heal PTSD that do not include doctors or medications. Some examples of these include, exercising which can help the victim reduce physical tension, volunteering which assists the victim in reconnecting with their community, even talking to other veterans or police officers with PTSD can help with regaining trust with others. However, there is a more scientific approach to dealing with PTSD. After a rough or gruesome assignment, veterans or police officers are usually sent to
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