Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Long Beach, CA

162 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Trials near Long Beach, CA

Power is an online platform that helps thousands of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder patients discover FDA-reviewed trials every day. Every trial we feature meets safety and ethical standards, giving patients an easy way to discover promising new treatments in the research stage.

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No Placebo
Highly Paid
Stay on Current Meds
Pivotal Trials (Near Approval)
Breakthrough Medication
The goal of this clinical trial is to test an abbreviated, intensive, multi-couple group version of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (AIM-CBCT for PTSD) in an active military and veteran population. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does AIM-CBCT for PTSD improve PTSD symptoms? * Does AIM-CBCT for PTSD improve associated symptoms (e.g., depression), romantic partner distress, and couple relationship satisfaction? Participants will participate in a two-day retreat in which they are taught and practice skills to decrease PTSD symptoms and enhance their relationships. Researchers will compare AIM-CBCT for PTSD to the Prevention and Relationship Education Program (PREP) to determine whether it is superior to an evidence-based relationship education curriculum that is also delivered in a two-day multi-couple group format.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

120 Participants Needed

Posttraumatic stress disorder in adolescence impairs neurobiological networks underlying cognitive, social and emotional skills. Neuroimaging research that seeks to identify the neural mechanisms of treatments for PTSD could lead to novel treatments, but progress has been slow using current methods. The proposed study uses an innovative approach to identify neural mechanisms of specific phases of trauma-focused therapy for youth with PTSD, allowing a new understanding of brain changes associated with the process of therapy.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:12 - 17

180 Participants Needed

This study is aimed to evaluate outpatient ketamine infusion within a military chronic neuropathic pain population and its effect on PTSD. Currently, this is a pilot study with 30 participants. Participants will be randomized to (1) a moderate dose ketamine, (2) moderate dose ketamine +Mg, or (3) a magnesium control group. Participants will complete self-reported pain and PTSD questionnaires throughout the \~24-week study period. The outlined strategy will provide evidence for the utility of ketamine in neuropathic pain management and pain associated comorbidities within a military population.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 4

30 Participants Needed

This study is being done to see if Prolonged Exposure (PE), a well-researched, very effective individual (one-to-one) behavioral therapy designed to help people to directly deal with traumatic events they have suffered in the past, can be combined with intranasal esketamine (ketamine) for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to enhance treatment benefits. Ketamine nasal spray is a drug approved by the U.S. Food \& Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment resistant depression. Combined with PE, intranasal ketamine may help to augment PE and further reduce participants' PTSD symptoms.
No Placebo Group
Prior Safety Data

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 1, 2
Age:18 - 65

8 Participants Needed

The overall objective of the proposed study is to determine if lofexidine (LFX) as an adjunct to buprenorphine (BUP) treatment improves symptoms of both opioid use disorder (OUD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Other study objectives are to compare the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of BUP treatment alone, to BUP treatment with adjunct LFX, on measures of OUD and PTSD symptoms in Veterans with both prognosis .

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2

120 Participants Needed

The purpose of this research study is to learn about how Shared Decision Making, when used to decide treatment, impacts treatment engagement, retention, and outcomes for active duty military personnel seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Shared Decision Making between the service member and the therapists will be used to match patients to 1 of 3 different types of therapy for PTSD: (1) Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, (2) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), or (3) Written Exposure Therapy (WET) in 1 of 2 different frequencies: (1) massed (daily) or (2) spaced (weekly).
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

200 Participants Needed

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military service members and veterans is as high as 32% and is the third most service-connected disability, resulting in over $1.5 billion in direct costs over a five-year period. According to Clinical Practice Guidelines, strong evidence exists for psychotherapies, such as prolonged exposure (PE) for PTSD. However, psychotherapies are often met with high drop-out rates, treatment non-compliance, and emotional stress due to trauma recall. A successful approach to reduce drop-out rates and maintain efficacy is to compress psychotherapy into daily, day-long PE sessions. Yet another deficit exists regarding the feasibility of this approach outside of residential treatment facilities, which are typically reserved for the most extreme cases. The newest study from the our team aimed to augment PE residential treatment with a neuromodulatory treatment: image-guided, robot-navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (IR-TMS). Along with the PE-focused intensive inpatient program (IIP-PE), participants received IR-TMS targeting the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) daily for 20 consecutive days. Results demonstrated superiority of the combined IIP-PE/IR-TMS approach, compared to IIP-PE and a sham condition. However, it is not yet established whether a standalone IR-TMS approach will achieve similar results. Our goal is to implement an open-label trial of IR-TMS for PTSD, in which veterans and active-duty service members with PTSD will receive accelerated IR-TMS throughout a 2-week timeframe. Results will be used as a foundation for future extramural funding to scale-up the stand alone IR-TMS intervention for PTSD treatments.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

30 Participants Needed

This trial tests a new method called PPMT that helps people with PTSD by focusing on happy memories. It targets those who haven't fully benefited from existing treatments. By remembering and discussing positive experiences, it aims to reduce symptoms and improve mood. PPMT is a novel technique developed to help PTSD patients by focusing on positive memories, and it has been piloted among trauma-exposed individuals.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Age:18 - 65

70 Participants Needed

Recovery Resource Council (RRC) is one of the largest and most comprehensive non-profit mental and behavioral healthcare providers in North Texas. Accredited by the Joint Commission in Behavioral Health and licensed by the State of Texas as an Outpatient Treatment Center, RRC strives to promote wellness and recovery through a variety of services and programming. An important component of RRC programming is providing free counseling services to hundreds of U.S. veterans annually. While RRC observes great success for veterans who complete counseling, attendance can be a major obstacle. Veterans who approach RRC for individual counseling services and consent to participate will be randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. The control group will receive counseling as usual. The treatment group will receive $500 gift card payments upon completing their 6th, 12th, and 18th counseling sessions, i.e., $1,500 in gift cards for completing all 18 sessions, the usual prescribed length of therapy. Our primary focus is to examine the impact of the financial incentives on therapy attendance and attrition. In addition, the investigators will estimate the impact on mental health using mental health inventories collected over the course of therapy sessions.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Enrolling By Invitation
Trial Phase:Unphased

600 Participants Needed

This trial tests if an IV drip of brexanolone can reduce PTSD symptoms in adult women who have experienced non-military trauma. The study will also check the safety of the treatment and its effects on depression and daily functioning. Participants will be monitored closely throughout the process. Brexanolone is the first therapy approved by the US FDA for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) in adults.
No Placebo Group
Prior Safety Data

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 4
Age:18 - 50
Sex:Female

20 Participants Needed

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a visuospatial task on memory reconsolidation and trauma symptoms for trauma-exposed individuals after exposure to traumatic memory reactivation paradigm.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 65

120 Participants Needed

The goal of this clinical trial is to test how exercise affects learning and memory processes relevant to the treatment of PTSD. Participants will complete a baseline intake followed by two experimental sessions. During the first experimental session, participants will undergo an MRI session of imaginal exposure to traumatic memory cues followed by 30-minutes of moderate intensity exercise or low intensity exercise. Participants will complete a second session of imaginal exposure with MRI 24 hours later.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 64

100 Participants Needed

The purpose of this study is to identify how trauma-focused psychotherapy changes the function of brain circuitry in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and how this mediates improvements in the diminished ability to experience positive emotions following a traumatic or extremely stressful life event. In this instance, the investigators will be using cognitive processing therapy (CPT), a widely-utilized and evidence-based treatment for PTSD.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 65

120 Participants Needed

The purpose of this research is to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate how the brain forms associations between neutral and negative stimuli. The ultimate goal is to understand the neural systems involved in regulating negative emotional responses to fearful stimuli.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 50

240 Participants Needed

Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have greater prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs), with this comorbidity associated with worse illness outcomes, yet there remains limited mechanistic understanding of how PTSD confers risk for AUD. Understanding risk factors that associate with and predict the development of AUDs in PTSD could inform interventions and prevention efforts to reduce the rate of this comorbidity and improve outcomes of both disorders. Identifying predictors of risk requires longitudinal studies in PTSD aimed at capturing the mechanisms leading to the emergence of AUDs. There is growing evidence PTSD is related to biased decision-making during approach-avoidance conflict. Alcohol is also suggested to alter approach-avoidance decision-making. AUDs and acute alcohol intoxication is associated with a bias to seek out reward despite the possibility of threat (e.g., contributing to relapse following alcohol cue exposure and risky behavior during intoxication respectively). Alcohol-induced changes in approach-avoidance decision-making have not been investigated in the context of PTSD, but emerging data support the investigators' hypothesis that an interaction between alcohol and approach-avoidance conflict in PTSD may occur and contribute to risk for alcohol misuse and development of alcohol problems. No current data, cross-sectional or longitudinal, have tested the role of alcohol-induced changes in approach-avoidance conflict as a mechanism of risk for AUD among individuals with PTSD. To address this gap, the investigators propose to leverage the group's expertise in placebo-controlled alcohol administration procedures, longitudinal modeling, functional neuroimaging, and computational neuroscience approaches to investigate the effects of acute alcohol on approach-avoidance decision-making and mediating changes in multivariate neurocircuitry patterns in limbic, striatal, and salience networks.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:21 - 60

200 Participants Needed

This trial is testing a new treatment using sound waves to target a part of the brain in people with emotional disorders like depression and anxiety. The treatment aims to change how this part of the brain works to improve symptoms. It is non-invasive and uses MRI to monitor changes in the brain.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Age:18 - 65

20 Participants Needed

This trial compares three treatments for people with severe anxiety: getting used to scary physical feelings, learning to breathe better, and learning about anxiety. These treatments aim to help those who don't respond well to usual methods or who relapse. The first treatment helps reduce fear of physical sensations, the second helps control breathing to reduce anxiety, and the third provides knowledge about anxiety.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

180 Participants Needed

Anxiety-, obsessive-compulsive and trauma- and stressor-related disorders reflect a significant public health problem. This study is designed to evaluate the predictive power of a novel biomarker based on a CO2 challenge, thus addressing the central question "can this easy-to-administer assay aid clinicians in deciding whether or not to initiate exposure-based therapy?"
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

600 Participants Needed

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent and represents a high healthcare burden among Veterans. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a brain-based therapy that may be effective for treating PTSD. The theorized mechanism of rTMS is enhancement of emotional flexibility via the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex node of the brain's cognitive control network. Given this mechanism of action, adding rTMS to an evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for PTSD may enhance treatment effects. Written exposure therapy (WET) is a brief EBP for PTSD found to reduce attrition compared to lengthier first line treatments. In this study, the investigators will determine if active rTMS added to WET compared with sham rTMS added to WET results in improved PTSD outcomes. The investigators will also determine if emotional flexibility is a mechanism of symptom improvement. This work will improve upon PTSD intervention and inform the mechanism of treatment effectiveness for Veterans suffering from PTSD.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 50

98 Participants Needed

MOVED for PTSD

Temple, Texas
Despite the availability of evidence-based treatments for PTSD, there are many challenges to successful trauma recovery for Veterans including difficulties starting and completing these treatments and gaps in fully addressing additional important treatment targets including lower social functioning and quality of life. Alternative, stand-alone treatment options that address a range of outcomes and can be easily accessed are needed to expand the reach of PTSD treatment to Veterans. One way to address this need is with a positive psychology intervention called MOVED, which has shown promise in a prior pilot study. MOVED is a web-based, self-guided intervention (8 sessions, 4 weeks) that uses moral elevation-feeling inspired by others' virtuous actions. This clinical trial will test if MOVED leads to decreased PTSD symptoms and increased social functioning and quality of life compared to a generic supportive treatment that does not focus on moral elevation. Results will help determine if MOVED is a useful alternative approach to target trauma recovery among Veterans with PTSD.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Not Yet Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

250 Participants Needed

Why Other Patients Applied

"I've been struggling with ADHD and anxiety since I was 9 years old. I'm currently 30. I really don't like how numb the medications make me feel. And especially now, that I've lost my grandma and my aunt 8 days apart, my anxiety has been even worse. So I'm trying to find something new."

FF
ADHD PatientAge: 31

"I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer three months ago, metastatic to my liver, and I have been receiving and responding well to chemotherapy. My blood work revealed that my tumor markers have gone from 2600 in the beginning to 173 as of now, even with the delay in treatment, they are not going up. CT Scans reveal they have been shrinking as well. However, chemo is seriously deteriorating my body. I have 4 more treatments to go in this 12 treatment cycle. I am just interested in learning about my other options, if any are available to me."

ID
Pancreatic Cancer PatientAge: 40

"My orthopedist recommended a half replacement of my right knee. I have had both hips replaced. Currently have arthritis in knee, shoulder, and thumb. I want to avoid surgery, and I'm open-minded about trying a trial before using surgery as a last resort."

HZ
Arthritis PatientAge: 78

"I've tried several different SSRIs over the past 23 years with no luck. Some of these new treatments seem interesting... haven't tried anything like them before. I really hope that one could work."

ZS
Depression PatientAge: 51

"As a healthy volunteer, I like to participate in as many trials as I'm able to. It's a good way to help research and earn money."

IZ
Healthy Volunteer PatientAge: 38
The purpose of this research is to determine if a brief treatment method is effective for preventing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a number of other concerns following injury.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

300 Participants Needed

This trial aims to help combat veterans with PTSD from morally injurious events by using group therapy. Veterans will talk about their experiences with others who understand, helping them make sense of their feelings and improve their mental health.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Early Phase 1

12 Participants Needed

CPT + rTMS for PTSD

Dallas, Texas
The purpose of this study is to examine the benefits of combining repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) coupled with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in treating combat-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The study will also examine change in depression, psychosocial functioning, and neurophysiological (i.e., electroencephalography and magnetic resonance images) measures.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 60

330 Participants Needed

This is a feasibility and acceptability study of Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for PTSD in pregnant and postpartum adolescents and youth with PTSD.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:15 - 24
Sex:Female

30 Participants Needed

This study will examine the use brief prolonged exposure (Brief PE) therapy compared to standard clinical care to reduce posttraumatic distress among people who have had a spinal cord injury and are receiving rehabilitation in an inpatient setting.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

200 Participants Needed

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if a peer-delivered emotion regulation training (Brief-Unified Protocol) workshop is effective for preventing posttraumatic stress and other psychological health symptoms in firefighter trainees. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do firefighter recruits who receive peer-delivered Brief-Unified Protocol report lower PTSD symptom severity over time compared to those who receive psychoeducation? * Do firefighter recruits who receive peer-delivered Brief-Unified Protocol report lower AUD, depression, anxiety, and functional impairment symptom severity over time compared to those who receive psychoeducation? * Do changes in neuroticism or emotion regulation mediate the effect of receiving the Brief-Unified Protocol on the treatment outcomes? Participants will: * Participate in a Brief-Unified Protocol workshop or psychoeducation workshop during fire academy training. * Complete a questionnaire prior to the workshop. * Complete a questionnaire immediately following the workshop and follow up questionnaires at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after completing the fire academy. Researchers will compare firefighters who receive a peer-delivered Brief-Unified Protocol workshop to firefighters who receive peer-delivered psychoeducation to see if the Brief-Unified Protocol is effective for preventing posttraumatic stress and other psychological health symptoms.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Enrolling By Invitation
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:21+

480 Participants Needed

The purpose of this case series dismantling study is to extend previous findings regarding the efficacy of a brief treatment for chronic post-trauma nightmares by examining the dose effect and mechanism of change. Exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy (ERRT) is a promising psychological intervention developed to target trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbances. ERRT has exhibited strong support in reducing the frequency and intensity of nightmares, as well as improving overall sleep quality in both civilian and veteran samples. In addition, significant decreases in PTSD and depression symptoms have been reported following treatment (Davis et al., 2011; Davis \& Wright, 2007; Long et al., 2011; Swanson, Favorite, Horin, \& Arnedt, 2009). ERRT is currently an evidence-level B suggested treatment (Cranston, Davis, Rhudy, \& Favorite, 2011). Despite this evidence, the mechanism of change for ERRT remains unclear. We propose to conduct a set of case series in order to examine the possible mechanisms: psycho-education, dose response for exposure, and no exposure components of the treatment. Each part of the treatment is theorized to contribute to the improved treatment outcome and it is hypothesized that participants will benefit no matter what group they are in. All participants will receive 5 to 6 treatment sessions, conducted once per week for about 90 minutes, of a modified version of ERRT.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

50 Participants Needed

Exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy (ERRT) is a promising psychological intervention developed to target trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbances. Though further evidence is needed, ERRT has shown strong support in reducing the number and intensity of nightmares, as well as improving overall sleep quality in both civilian and veteran samples. This study will assess the efficacy in individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

20 Participants Needed

The goal of this study is to test the effectiveness of a stress self-management mobile health system (smartphone app + wearable sensor) alongside an intense physical cycling intervention to reduce symptoms of stress in a veteran population. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Does a mobile stress self-management system alongside intensive physical activity reduce the amount of physiologically detected, via machine-learning algorithm, stressful moments or PTSD hyperarousals? Can a mobile stress self-management system alongside intensive physical activity reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression on self-assessments like PCL-5, GAD-7, and PHQ-8? Participants will: Use a stress self-management system called First Watch Device (FWD) and confirm/deny detected stress moments on the app for a 2 month period. Use FWD self-management features as coping stragies for mental health and stressors for a 2 month period. Participate in the Project Hero 1-week Ride 2 Recovery Challenge events in the middle of the study.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Enrolling By Invitation
Trial Phase:Unphased

36 Participants Needed

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the efficacy of a novel integrative cognitive-behavioral intervention in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Specific Aim 1: Examine the efficacy of CPT-RP, as compared to RP alone, in reducing alcohol frequency (percent days drinking) and quantity (drinks per drinking day) as measured by the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB). Specific Aim 2: Examine the efficacy of CPT-RP, as compared to RP alone, in reducing PTSD symptoms as measured by the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5). Specific Aim 3: Use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to evaluate intervention effects on daily alcohol-related cognitions and behaviors through real-time associations with PTSD symptomatology and distress tolerance. Researchers will compare integrative CPT+RP with RP-alone to see if CPT+RP is more efficacious in reducing alcohol use and PTSD symptom severity.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 2

200 Participants Needed

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder clinical trials in Long Beach, CA pay?

Each trial will compensate patients a different amount, but $50-100 for each visit is a fairly common range for Phase 2–4 trials (Phase 1 trials often pay substantially more). Further, most trials will cover the costs of a travel to-and-from the clinic.

How do Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder clinical trials in Long Beach, CA work?

After a researcher reviews your profile, they may choose to invite you in to a screening appointment, where they'll determine if you meet 100% of the eligibility requirements. If you do, you'll be sorted into one of the treatment groups, and receive your study drug. For some trials, there is a chance you'll receive a placebo. Across Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder trials in Long Beach, CA 30% of clinical trials have a placebo. Typically, you'll be required to check-in with the clinic every month or so. The average trial length in Long Beach, CA for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is 12 months.

How do I participate in a study as a "healthy volunteer"?

Not all studies recruit healthy volunteers: usually, Phase 1 studies do. Participating as a healthy volunteer means you will go to a research facility in Long Beach, CA several times over a few days or weeks to receive a dose of either the test treatment or a "placebo," which is a harmless substance that helps researchers compare results. You will have routine tests during these visits, and you'll be compensated for your time and travel, with the number of appointments and details varying by study.

What does the "phase" of a clinical trial mean?

The phase of a trial reveals what stage the drug is in to get approval for a specific condition. Phase 1 trials are the trials to collect safety data in humans. Phase 2 trials are those where the drug has some data showing safety in humans, but where further human data is needed on drug effectiveness. Phase 3 trials are in the final step before approval. The drug already has data showing both safety and effectiveness. As a general rule, Phase 3 trials are more promising than Phase 2, and Phase 2 trials are more promising than phase 1.

Do I need to be insured to participate in a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder medical study in Long Beach, CA?

Clinical trials are almost always free to participants, and so do not require insurance. The only exception here are trials focused on cancer, because only a small part of the typical treatment plan is actually experimental. For these cancer trials, participants typically need insurance to cover all the non-experimental components.

What are the newest Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder clinical trials in Long Beach, CA?

Most recently, we added Mobile App Therapy for PTSD and Depression, MOVED for PTSD and Health Services Intervention for PTSD to the Power online platform.

What is the new treatment for PTSD?

The two headline “new” approaches are MDMA-assisted psychotherapy—which has shown large symptom reductions in Phase-3 trials and could gain FDA approval soon—and the stellate ganglion block, an ultrasound-guided neck injection that can rapidly calm the nervous system and is already offered off-label by some pain specialists. Both are considered add-ons rather than replacements for proven trauma-focused talk therapies, and access currently means enrolling in a clinical trial for MDMA or seeing an experienced clinician for an SGB after discussing possible benefits, side-effects, and costs. If you’re interested, talk with a PTSD-trained mental-health professional to see whether one of these emerging treatments fits your situation.

What are the 7 symptoms of PTSD?

Clinicians group PTSD signs into four clusters, but popular summaries often point to seven tell-tale symptoms: intrusive memories or flashbacks, trauma-related nightmares, avoiding reminders, ongoing negative mood or beliefs, constant jumpiness/hyper-alertness, sudden irritability or anger, and trouble sleeping or concentrating. If several of these have lasted more than a month and are disrupting daily life, it’s time to talk with a mental-health professional because effective therapies and medications are available.

What is the difference between PTSD and clinical PTSD?

“Clinical PTSD” is not a formal medical label; most people use it to describe either (a) a full, doctor-confirmed PTSD diagnosis (meeting all four symptom clusters of intrusion, avoidance, negative mood/thoughts, and hyper-arousal) rather than a few stray symptoms, or (b) Complex PTSD, a newer ICD-11 diagnosis that includes all the usual PTSD features plus persistent problems with emotion control, negative self-view, and relationships after prolonged or repeated trauma. In short, standard PTSD focuses on how a single or short-lived traumatic event is re-experienced, whereas “clinical/complex” PTSD implies either full diagnostic severity or an added layer of long-term self-and-relationship difficulties—something a qualified mental-health professional can sort out and treat with trauma-focused therapy and, when needed, medication.

Does complex PTSD ever go away?

Complex PTSD can and often does get much better—many people reach full remission or only occasional, manageable flare-ups once they’ve had consistent, trauma-focused treatment (such as EMDR, TF-CBT, or a phase-based approach that first builds safety skills and then processes the trauma). How long that takes varies; factors like the length of the original abuse, other mental-health conditions, and access to supportive relationships and specialized care influence recovery, which is why some people need longer-term therapy or periodic “tune-ups.” In short, the condition isn’t necessarily lifelong, but viewing it as a journey—with professional help, skills practice, and a strong support network—gives the best odds of lasting relief.

Why is EMDR controversial?

Controversy arises from three fronts: first, although many studies now show EMDR can reduce post-traumatic stress as well as traditional exposure therapies, earlier weak studies and some mixed results planted doubt. Second, research shows the eye movements themselves may add little beyond standard exposure, so experts argue over the true mechanism and whether the name oversells a simple idea. Third, professional bodies only “conditionally” recommend EMDR and warn that brief weekend trainings can produce under-qualified providers, leading some clinicians to view it as over-marketed. Understanding these evidence, mechanism, and training debates explains why opinions on EMDR still differ.

Does PTSD count as a disability?

Yes. PTSD is legally treated as a disability whenever its symptoms are documented to substantially limit major life activities: Social Security can grant cash benefits, the VA can award a disability rating for service-connected stress, and the ADA requires employers to offer reasonable job accommodations. Collect medical records that show both a formal PTSD diagnosis and how it disrupts work, school, or daily tasks—the same principle applies in most other countries’ disability systems.

How to heal from trauma without therapy?

Begin by checking safety: if you’re having thoughts of self-harm, losing touch with reality, or using substances to cope, call a crisis line (e.g., 988 in the U.S.) or seek professional help. Otherwise, think of recovery in three daily practices—steady your body (slow breathing, walking, yoga), give the story gentle airtime (15-minute journaling or a free app like PTSD Coach), and reconnect with supportive people and purposeful activities—while tracking sleep, mood, and triggers each week to see progress. If symptoms stay the same or worsen after a couple of months of consistent effort, that’s your signal to add a trained therapist, group program, or tele-health option.

What diagnosis is close to PTSD?

The diagnosis most often mistaken for PTSD is Acute Stress Disorder—symptoms can look identical, but they start within days of the trauma and fade within a month; if they last longer, the label changes to PTSD. Clinicians also consider Complex PTSD (a longer-term form after chronic abuse), Adjustment Disorder (stress-triggered distress without flashbacks), and common anxiety or depression disorders that share sleep, mood or panic problems but are not tied to a specific traumatic memory. A mental-health professional sorts these out by asking about the kind of event that happened, how long symptoms have lasted, and whether true “re-experiencing” (flashbacks or nightmares of the trauma) is present.

Why is PTSD so hard to treat?

PTSD is tough to heal because severe stress literally rewires the brain’s alarm and memory centres, every person’s trauma history is different, and the core symptoms (avoidance, distrust, numbness) make it hard to start or stay in treatment. Recovery therefore usually requires a personalised mix of approaches—such as trauma-focused therapy, medication, and skills for sleep and safety—and patience while you and your clinician adjust the plan. The good news is that most people do improve, and newer tools like EMDR, virtual-reality exposure, ketamine or MDMA-assisted therapy are widening the options when first-line methods fall short.

Does Stellate ganglion block work for PTSD?

A stellate ganglion block can quiet the “fight-or-flight” nerves, and small studies—mainly in military populations—show it can lessen PTSD symptoms in roughly half of patients for a month or two; other trials have found no clear benefit, so results are mixed. Because evidence is still limited and short-term, specialists usually offer SGB only as an adjunct to proven treatments (therapy, medications) after weighing its brief relief against the need for repeat injections and the procedure’s small but real risks (infection, hoarse voice, temporary eyelid droop). Discussing it with a trauma-focused mental-health provider and an experienced pain or anesthesia physician can help decide if this experimental option makes sense in your overall care plan.

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