Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continues to be a problematic psychiatric condition that can be difficult to treat. SSRIs are the first-line treatment, and they are the only pharmaceutical class approved – their use may lead to a reduction in symptoms but, oftentimes, PTSD can be found to be treatment resistant.

In addition, there are many patients who have participated in trials of SSRIs as well as many other psychoactive drugs without complete remission.

Atypical antipsychotics such as quetiapine and risperidone are sometimes used clinically to control these symptoms. Benzodiazepines are used at times as well, but with caution as individuals suffering from PTSD are at heightened risk for addiction.

Prazosin is used regularly now to combat nightmares, which contribute to the insomnia but may not lower other PTSD symptoms. Some are supplemented with psychotherapy and hospitalization but to no avail.

Given this, novel treatments are needed for PTSD. One such treatment could be ketamine. As noted, there exists some hesitation for its use based on the fact that it may cause transient dissociation; however, more recent studies suggest that this may not be as frequent as previously thought.

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