Comparison of Two Treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Exposure to traumatic events, such as automobile accidents and assault, can cause individuals
to develop persistent psychological difficulties such as post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). PTSD is an anxiety disorder characterized by avoidance, hyperarousal symptoms, and
mental re-experiencing of the traumatic event. PTSD is a serious condition that may cause
social and psychological impairment; therefore, safe and effective treatments are needed.
Both CBT and antidepressant therapy have been shown to effectively treat PTSD symptoms;
however, comparisons of the treatments are limited. This study will compare the short- and
long-term effectiveness of CBT and the antidepressant sertraline.

Participants will either be randomly assigned to CBT or sertraline, or they will be able to
choose one of the two treatments, which will be given for 10 weeks, followed by 24 months of
follow-up assessments. Participants in the CBT group will have 10 weekly sessions of therapy.
During the therapy sessions, participants will be encouraged to confront their general fears
and the memory of their trauma through repeated storytelling. Participants will also be
encouraged to practice the techniques learned in therapy in everyday life. Participants in
the antidepressant group will take sertraline daily for 10 weeks. These participants will be
seen weekly by a psychiatrist who will offer general encouragement and support, monitor
response to medication, and record any side effects participants may be experiencing. The
medication may be adjusted according to a dosing schedule and based on the study doctor's
judgment. At the end of 10 weeks, participants in the antidepressant group will have the
choice of either tapering the medication gradually to minimize the chance of withdrawal
symptoms or staying on the medication for up to 24 months. Participants who do not respond to
their assigned or chosen treatment will be offered the other treatment for 10 weeks.
Self-report scales and questionnaires will be used to assess participants' PTSD symptoms,
depression, anxiety, and social functioning. These assessments will occur at 3, 6, 12, and 24
months after the study treatment period.

Inclusion Criteria:

- DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD

- Experienced traumatic event at least 12 weeks prior to study entry

- Willingness to discontinue current CBT or antidepressant treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

- Current diagnosis of schizophrenia or delusional disorder

- Medically unstable bipolar disorder, depression with psychotic features, or depression
requiring psychiatric treatment

- Current diagnosis of alcohol or substance dependence within 3 months prior to study
entry

- Ongoing intimate relationship with the perpetrator of the traumatic event

- History of nonresponse to either CBT or sertraline

- Medical contraindication for sertraline