Treatment length in post-traumatic stress disorder

The objective of this retrospective study was to examine patterns of treatment length for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to define the comparative characteristics of short-term patients (treatment successful within three months—group A) and long-term patients (in treatment for 12 or more months—group D). All had received medication and psychotherapy. For the 13 group A and the 15 group D patients there were no significant differences in type of stressor, reported symptom distress, possible financial compensation factors, length of time from trauma to intervention, and various demographic features. Group D patients required significantly (P = .001) higher daily dosages of a tricyclic. Implications of these findings are discussed.