New Directions: Looking at Prevention Rather than Treatment of PTSD in the Military

Undergraduate: Coertney Scoggin

Faculty Advisor: April Munroe
Department: Chemistry

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The purpose of this study was to find more effective ways to treat posttraumatic stress disorder. I researched prevention methods currently being used and researched, and how to use the most effective treatments concurrently to produce less incidences of posttraumatic stress disorder in veterans returning from deployment. My original hypothesis was that propranolol, a drug used for anti-anxiety and short term after auto accidents in the European Union would be useful in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder over a long period of time. Since I could not directly diagnose any patients with being prone to posttraumatic stress disorder or administer drugs, I relied on other sources such as studies done on effectiveness of propranolol on trauma victims as well as an interview with the National Service Director of the Disabled American Veterans to research preventative methods and treatments for PTSD. I found that since propranolol is a beta blocker drug, it would, in fact be a good drug to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder in deployed soldiers. I also discovered that intensive therapy upon return from deployment if diagnosed as "prone"""" to the disorder would be an effective treatment in combination with propranolol for prevention of post traumatic stress disorder. Though it requires further testing and experimental trials"