Please forgive me if this isn't the correct place to post this, but I'm not really sure where the correct place is.

I have been reading through the threads and forums here and have referred my husband to much of it for his PTSD. He is beginning to have difficulties maintaining a normal lifestyle and I don't know how to help him. It is very difficult when he says: "I should have died when I was in the Army, and so now there is really no point in the rest of my life." Not to mention he has problems with seeing war scenes "over" what he is currently seeing. He has been having more trouble with realizing what fantasy is and what is real. All of his dreams are about death and war. Sometimes he wakes up in the night ready to vomit because the dreams are so vivid. I can't come to bed after he goes to bed, or he startles awake ready to fight.

We tried getting the VA to help but he has been discharged from the Army for 5 years and they want to stick him in therapy groups of people who've just came back from Iraq. This would probably be ok, except he isn't "upset" on a daily basis about what he saw in Afghanistan, more it is the constant reminder in everything in his life about war. Even when he plays games, he is compelled to ones about death and war. They also make him sit for hours to wait to be seen by a doctor. He is a contract employee and so when he doesn't go to work, i.e. sitting in the VA hospital, he doesn't get paid. That is such a huge chunk of our budget so he won’t go. And my mental health benefits only cover 50%.

He tried one study but couldn't handle the medication. Now we are trying to figure out if anyone out there has any advice on getting the VA to help pay to see someone outside of the VA.

We are also wondering what kind of medication is working for people. We are at a loss and it is really beginning to wear on me, as I am constantly trying to show him that things aren't hopeless and we'll get him through all of it.

Sorry for the long dissertation, but we could really use any advice or help.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="95%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>MEDICATIONS Below is a chart listing the names of drugs commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, the disorder for which they're indicated, how they are thought to work. Medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of the various anxiety disorders are identified with a "†".





NOTE: The information provided in this table applies to the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults 18 years of age and older, and does not apply to the treatment of these conditions in children and adolescents.

Key:
GAD = Generalized Anxiety Disorder * Generic commercially available
OCD = Obsessive Compulsive Disorder † FDA approved for the treatment of one or more anxiety disorders
PD = Panic Disorder
PTSD = Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
SAD = Social Anxiety Disorder




<TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="95%" align=center border=1><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%">Drug Class </TD><TD width="15%">Brand Name</TD><TD width="17%">Generic Name</TD><TD width="21%">Target Anxiety Disorder</TD><TD width="31%">How It's Thought to Work</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=2>Antidepressants</TD><TD width="15%" height=2>


</TD><TD width="17%" height=2></TD><TD width="21%" height=2></TD><TD width="31%" height=2></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=75>Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)


</TD><TD width="15%" height=75>Celexa

Lexapro †
Luvox †
Paxil * †
Prozac * †
Zoloft †

</TD><TD width="17%" height=75>Citalopram

Escitalopram
Fluvoxamine
Paroxetine
Fluoxetine
Sertraline

</TD><TD width="21%" height=75>PD, OCD, SAD, GAD, PTSD</TD><TD width="31%" height=75>Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=180>Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)


</TD><TD width="15%" height=180>Adapin *

Anafranil *
Aventyl *
Elavil *
Ludiomil *
Norpramin *
Pamelor *
Sinequan *
Surmontil *
Tofranil *
Vivactil *
</TD><TD width="17%" height=180>Doxepin

Clomiprimine
Nortriptyline
Amitriptyline
Maprotiline
Desipramine
Nortriptyline
Doxepin
Trimipramine
Imipramine
Protriptyline
</TD><TD width="21%" height=180>PD, PTSD, GAD

OCD (Anafranil only)
</TD><TD width="31%" height=180>Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, chemicals in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders


</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=41>Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)


</TD><TD width="15%" height=41>Marplan *

Nardil *
Parnate *
</TD><TD width="17%" height=41>Isocarboxid

Phenelzine
Tranylcypromine
</TD><TD width="21%" height=41>PD, SAD, PTSD</TD><TD width="31%" height=41>Blocks the effect of an important brain enzyme, preventing the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=35>Other Antidepressants</TD><TD width="15%" height=35>Cymbalta

Desyrel *
Effexor †
Remeron

</TD><TD width="17%" height=35>Duloxetine

Trazodone
Venlafaxine
MIrtazapine
</TD><TD width="21%" height=35>PD, OCD, SAD, GAD, PTSD (Data in PTSD is sparse)



</TD><TD width="31%" height=35>Affects the concentration of the neurotransmitters serotonin and/or norepinephrine, chemicals in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=50></TD><TD width="15%" height=50>Wellbutrin </TD><TD width="17%" height=50>Bupropion </TD><TD width="21%" height=50>No current indication for any anxiety disorder.

Depression, possibly ADHD
</TD><TD width="31%" height=50>Exact mechanism unknown.

Effects may be mediated through the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=9>Anxiolytics



</TD><TD width="15%" height=9>



</TD><TD width="17%" height=9></TD><TD width="21%" height=9></TD><TD width="31%" height=9></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=2>Azapirones



</TD><TD width="15%" height=2>BuSpar * †



</TD><TD width="17%" height=2>Buspirone</TD><TD width="21%" height=2>GAD



</TD><TD width="31%" height=2>Enhances the activity of serotonin</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=52>Benzodiazepines



</TD><TD width="15%" height=52>Ativan *

Dalmane *
Klonopin * †
Halcion *
Librium *
Restoril *
Serax *
Tranxene *
Valium *
Xanax * †


</TD><TD width="17%" height=52>Lorazepam

Flurazepam
Clonazepam
Triazolam
Chlordiazepoxide
Temazepam
Oxazepam
Clorazepate
Diazepam
Alprazolam
</TD><TD width="21%" height=52>GAD, SAD, PD



</TD><TD width="31%" height=52>Exact mechanism unknown.

Some research shown to enhance the function of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)


</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=12>Antihistamines



</TD><TD width="15%" height=12>Atarax, Vistaril *</TD><TD width="17%" height=12>Hydroxyzine</TD><TD width="21%" height=12>GAD</TD><TD width="31%" height=12>Sedative effects through blockade of histamine receptors in the brain



</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=2>



</TD><TD width="15%" height=2></TD><TD width="17%" height=2></TD><TD width="21%" height=2></TD><TD width="31%" height=2></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=45>Anticonvulsants



</TD><TD width="15%" height=45></TD><TD width="17%" height=45></TD><TD width="21%" height=45>Augmentation therapy



</TD><TD width="31%" height=45>These medications may be added when symptoms only partially respond to another medication to increase the overall response to treatment



</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=2></TD><TD width="15%" height=2>Gabitril

Neurontin
</TD><TD width="17%" height=2>Tiagabine

Gabapentin


</TD><TD width="21%" height=2></TD><TD width="31%" height=2>Enhances the function of GABA</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=46></TD><TD width="15%" height=46>Depakote *

Lamictal
Topimax
</TD><TD width="17%" height=46>Valproate

Lamotrigine
Topiramate


</TD><TD width="21%" height=46></TD><TD width="31%" height=46>Exact mechanisms unknown. Possible effects include: enhancing or inhibiting effects of neurotransmitters believed to be associated with anxiety; blockade of sodium channels in the brain



</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=2></TD><TD width="15%" height=2></TD><TD width="17%" height=2></TD><TD width="21%" height=2></TD><TD width="31%" height=2></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=16>Noradrenergic Agents



</TD><TD width="15%" height=16></TD><TD width="17%" height=16></TD><TD width="21%" height=16></TD><TD width="31%" height=16></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=29>Beta Blockers



</TD><TD width="15%" height=29>Inderal *

Tenormin *


</TD><TD width="17%" height=29>Propranolol

Atenolol
Prazosin


</TD><TD width="21%" height=29>Performance anxiety, possibly PD</TD><TD width="31%" height=29>Blocks receptors associated with physiologic symptoms of anxiety</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=2>Alpha Blocker



</TD><TD width="15%" height=2>Minipress *



</TD><TD width="17%" height=2>Prazosin</TD><TD width="21%" height=2>PTSD (nightmares)</TD><TD width="31%" height=2></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%" height=36></TD><TD width="15%" height=36>Catapres

Tenex


</TD><TD width="17%" height=36>Clonidine

Guanfacine


</TD><TD width="21%" height=36>Some evidence in PTSD, anticipatory anxiety</TD><TD width="31%" height=36></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%">Atypical Antipsychotics</TD><TD width="15%"></TD><TD width="17%"></TD><TD width="21%">Augmentation therapy</TD><TD width="31%">These medications may be added when symptoms only partially respond to another medication to increase the overall response to treatment</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="16%"></TD><TD width="15%">Abilify

Geodon
Risperdal
Seroquel
Zyprexa
</TD><TD width="17%">Aripiprazole

Ziprasidone
Risperidone
Quetiepine
Olanzapine
</TD><TD width="21%"></TD><TD width="31%">Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Disclaimer:

This information is for educational purposes only. Speak with your doctor if you have questions about a medication or are experiencing side effects from your medication.









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A couple others are periactin and hytrin, there are options to help him.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EDMR are both proven as well...

Dialiectical Behavioral Therapy can help sometimes too.

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD colSpan=2>


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Thank you mspen, I will show this to him. He tried the Prazosin in the study, and had some interesting side effects, so he had to stop it. He said he liked the fact that the dreams seem more like a movie than real on it though.

I think Hytrin is the other name for Prazosin it made me feel weird too when I tried it.