Can Development of PTSD Be Prevented After Acute Trauma?

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Shalev et al have conducted a solid randomized controlled 5-arm, 12-week trial of 2 forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure, and cognitive therapy, in comparison with escitalopram 20 mg versus placebo, and a waiting list control who received delayed prolonged exposure at month 5. Researchers screened study patients on average within 10 days of their single traumatic event (mostly traffic accidents). Of the 324 patients who met DSM-IV criteria for acute posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (except for the 1-month duration) following a single trauma in adulthood, 82 participants declined treatment and 242 started the assigned intervention less than a month after the trauma.