Treatment
Effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are long-lasting and serious. It may affect the patient's ability to have a normal lifestyle and may interfere with personal relationships, education, and employment. Because avoiding places and persons associated with cancer is part of PTSD, the syndrome may prevent the patient from seeking medical treatment. It is important that cancer survivors receive information about the possible psychological effects of their cancer experience and early treatment of symptoms of PTSD. Therapies used to treat PTSD are those used for other trauma victims. Treatment may involve more than one type of therapy.
The crisis intervention method tries to lessen the symptoms and return the patient
to a normal level of functioning. The therapist focuses on solving
problems, teaching coping skills, and providing a supportive setting for the
patient.
Some patients are helped by methods that teach them to change their behaviors by changing their thinking patterns. Some of these methods
include helping the patient understand symptoms, teaching coping and stress management skills (such as relaxation training), teaching the patient to reword upsetting thoughts, and
helping the patient become less sensitive to upsetting triggers. Behavior therapy is
used when the symptoms are avoidance of sexual activity and intimate
situations.
Support groups may also help people who experience post-traumatic stress
symptoms. In the group setting, patients can receive emotional support, meet
others with similar experiences and symptoms, and learn coping and management
skills.
For patients with severe symptoms, medications may be used. These include antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and when necessary, antipsychotic
medications.
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