Reference no: EM133876277

Question

To treat Mr. DB's depression and PTSD symptoms, including nightmares and insomnia, medication management is essential. This strategy uses pharmacologic agents, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to enhance his mental well-being and quality of life. A key component of this approach is sertraline, starting at 50 mg PO once daily in the morning or evening. It is an SSRI that the FDA has approved for the treatment of PTSD and major depressive disorder (Singh & Saadabadi, 2023). It helps regulate mood by raising serotonin levels in the brain. Research demonstrates that it is effective in lowering anxiety associated with PTSD and depressive symptoms (Lewis et al., 2019). Sertraline is ideally suited to addressing Mr. DB's psychological and interpersonal issues since it is likely to reduce emotional distress, stabilize mood, and enhance day-to-day functioning. Another medication to help Mr. DB with his symptoms is Prazosin 1 mg PO at HS (hours of sleep), an off-label option originally for hypertension, which effectively reduces the frequency and intensity of PTSD-related nightmares, improving sleep quality (Medscape, n.d.). For Mr. DB, it helps diminish nightmares, promotes restful sleep, and enhances daytime functioning, complementing the effects of sertraline and other treatments.