TRIAL TRAZODONE FOR POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER USING A MULTIPLE BASE-LINE GROUP DESIGN

Six patients with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) entered a multiple-baseline trial of trazodone, beginning with 50 mg/d ay and increasing to 400 mg/day until response was maximal. Total Clin ician-Administered PTSD Scale scores decreased aom a mean of 92 at bas eline to 79 at end point, and self-reported PTSD symptoms as measured by the Davidson Trauma Scale paralleled these results (mean of 102 at baseline to 88 at end point). Based on clinician global improvement sc ores, four patients were rated as much improved and two were rated to be minimally improved. Improvement in social and occupational function ing, and depression was minimal, Available follow-up scores for PTSD s ymptoms indicated that gains were maintained, Sleep was the first symp tom to improve at 2 to 3 months. No dropouts during the treatment peri od occurred, and reported side effects were quite low. These prelimina ry data suggest that trazodone may be effective in reducing the three primary clusters of symptoms of PTSD. These findings should be confirm ed by using a larger sample in a double-blind, placebo-controlled stud y.