Mental health
Medicines for Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A condition that can develop after a frightening or traumatic event, causing flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance and avoidance — treated mainly with trauma-focused talking therapies, with medicine as an option.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop after experiencing or witnessing a frightening, life-threatening or deeply distressing event — such as an assault, accident, disaster, abuse, combat or a traumatic loss. Its core features are re-experiencing the trauma through vivid flashbacks, intrusive memories or nightmares; avoidance of reminders, places or thoughts connected to it; persistent feelings of being on edge or in danger (hypervigilance, being easily startled, poor sleep); and negative changes in mood and thinking.
- How it is treated: The first-line treatments are trauma-focused psychological therapies: trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), which help a person process the memory so it loses its grip.
- Self-care: Re-establishing a sense of safety and routine, protecting sleep, gentle activity, limiting alcohol, grounding techniques for flashbacks, and staying connected to trusted people all support recovery alongside therapy or medicine.
- When to seek help: If you feel unsafe, are having thoughts of harming yourself, or that life is not worth living, seek help now — contact your GP urgently, call 111, go to A&E, or call the Samaritans on 116 123 (call 999 in an emergency).
What it is
Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop after experiencing or witnessing a frightening, life-threatening or deeply distressing event — such as an assault, accident, disaster, abuse, combat or a traumatic loss. Its core features are re-experiencing the trauma through vivid flashbacks, intrusive memories or nightmares; avoidance of reminders, places or thoughts connected to it; persistent feelings of being on edge or in danger (hypervigilance, being easily startled, poor sleep); and negative changes in mood and thinking. Symptoms may begin soon after the event or emerge weeks or months later, and can disrupt relationships, work and daily life. PTSD is a recognised response to extreme stress, not weakness, and it is treatable.
How it is treated
The first-line treatments are trauma-focused psychological therapies: trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), which help a person process the memory so it loses its grip. Medicine is not usually the first step, but an SSRI or venlafaxine (an SNRI) is an option where a person prefers medication, declines therapy, or where therapy alone is not enough — often alongside continued psychological support. Routine use of benzodiazepines is avoided, as they do not treat the underlying disorder and carry risks of dependence. Care includes a focus on safety, sleep and any co-existing depression, and people with severe or complex PTSD should be referred to a specialist service.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Re-establishing a sense of safety and routine, protecting sleep, gentle activity, limiting alcohol, grounding techniques for flashbacks, and staying connected to trusted people all support recovery alongside therapy or medicine.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
If you feel unsafe, are having thoughts of harming yourself, or that life is not worth living, seek help now — contact your GP urgently, call 111, go to A&E, or call the Samaritans on 116 123 (call 999 in an emergency). You do not have to wait for an appointment.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for PTSD?
Medicine is not usually the first step for PTSD, but where it is used the main options are an SSRI or venlafaxine, an SNRI. These may be offered if you prefer medication, decline trauma-focused therapy, or if therapy alone has not been enough — often alongside continued psychological support. Routine use of sedatives such as benzodiazepines is avoided because of dependence risk.
What is the best treatment for PTSD?
The first-line treatments are trauma-focused psychological therapies — trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). These help you process the traumatic memory so it becomes less distressing. Medicine is an additional or alternative option rather than the starting point for most people.
Can PTSD go away on its own?
Some people recover from early symptoms in the weeks after a trauma without specific treatment, especially with support from those around them. When symptoms persist, are severe, or are getting in the way of daily life, effective treatments are available and it is worth seeking help rather than waiting.
Are antidepressants for PTSD addictive?
SSRIs and SNRIs are not addictive in the way that sedatives such as benzodiazepines can be, but stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal-type symptoms, so they are reduced gradually under guidance. They can briefly increase anxiety or, rarely, suicidal thoughts in the first weeks — especially in younger adults — so early symptoms should be monitored closely.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Mind: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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