Choosing a Treatment
Choosing a Treatment
Available en Español
If you have posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, you have treatment options. Trauma-focused talk therapy and medications have been shown to work in multiple studies. Learn how to compare your options and work with your provider to make the best treatment plan for yourself.
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What are effective treatments for PTSD?
Effective treatments are those that have been shown to work in multiple research studies. Trauma-focused talk therapies are the most effective treatment for PTSD. Trauma-focused means that you will focus on the trauma and what it means to you. Some antidepressant medications or other talk therapies that do not focus on trauma are also recommended for PTSD. Learn more about effective Talk Therapy and Medications for PTSD.
Even among the most strongly recommended PTSD treatments, how well a given treatment works can vary from one person to the next. At this time, there is no scientific way to know which PTSD treatment will work best for you as an individual.
How do I know which treatment to choose?
There are important factors in making a treatment decision:
- What treatment options are available to you?
- Do you feel you can work well with the therapist or clinician?
- Which treatments meet your goals (what you want to achieve) and preferences (what you like and don’t like in the treatment process)?
- Do you have other physical or mental health conditions that are important to address as well?
The above questions are a few examples of things to consider in choosing the best treatment for you. Creating a treatment plan is a process, and this process can benefit from shared decision-making with your provider.
What is shared decision-making?
Shared decision-making is when you work together with your mental health provider to make decisions about treatment. The goal is to help you choose a treatment that is best for you.
The provider has information about different treatments and how they work. You are an expert on what your preferences are and what goals you have. So, shared decision-making is a process, where you and your provider both share information to build your treatment plan.
Asking questions is important. You can ask for more information or resources to learn about treatments. You can also ask for explanations about the benefits and risks of treatments, how they work, or what to expect during treatment. Your provider will also ask you questions about your goals and preferences. It’s important that you feel comfortable to advocate for yourself.
How can the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid help me make a choice?
Decision aids are tools to help you learn about treatment options using clear information. These tools are designed to support you making a treatment choice with your provider.
The PTSD Treatment Decision Aid is a free online tool with science-based information about PTSD treatment options. As you learn about treatments, you can compare them in a customized chart. The decision aid helps you think about your goals and preferences and gives you tips on how to work with your provider to decide on a treatment plan.
Using the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid, you can:
- Read about treatments and watch videos explaining how they work
- Build a chart to compare the treatments you think might work best for you
- Build a summary of your treatment preferences and things you like or don’t like about different treatments
- Get ideas for how to talk with your medical team about your options
NOTE: This Decision Aid is not a substitute for medical care or advice from a provider. Only a licensed mental health professional can diagnose PTSD.
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