Treatment practices for childhood posttraumatic stress disorder

Objective: This study surveyed practices in treating childhood PTSD among c hild psychiatrists and non-M.D. therapists with self-identified interest in treating traumatized children. Method: An anonymous survey was mailed to 207 child psychiatrists ("medical ") and 460 nonphysician ("non-medical") therapists inquiring about current interventions used to treat children with PTSD. Results: Two hundred and forty-seven responses were received: of 77 medical and 82 nonmedical respondents who currently treat children with PTSD, a wi de variety of modalities are used. Most preferred modalities among medical responders were pharmacotherapy, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioral th erapy. Most preferred modalities among nonmedical respondents were cognitiv e-behavioral, family, and nondirective play therapy. Ninety-five percent of medical respondents used pharmacotherapy for this disorder; most preferred medications to treat childhood PTSD were selective serotonin reuptake inhi bitors and alpha-adrenergic agonists. Several significant differences betwe en medical and nonmedical practices were identified. Conclusions: There is little clinical consensus regarding the effectiveness of the many modalities used to treat traumatized children who have PTSD sy mptoms; empirical research is particularly needed to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacotherapy and EMDR. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.