Sertraline, paroxetine, and venlafaxine in refugee posttraumatic stress disorder with depression symptoms

Three new antidepressants were used in treating posttraumatic stress disord er (PTSD) and symptoms of depression in Bosnian refugees. Thirty-two Bosnia n refugees seeking treatment at a mental health clinic participated in a ca se series study. All received open trials of Sertraline (n = 15), Paroxetin e (n = 12), or Venlafaxine (n = 5), with standard clinical doses. Overall, Sertraline and Paroxetine produced statistically significant improvement at 6 weeks in PTSD symptom severity, in depression, and in Global Assessment of Functioning. Venlafaxine produced improvement in PTSD symptom severity a nd in Global Assessment of Functioning, did not yield improvement in sympto ms of major depressive disorder, and had a high rate of side effects. Notwi thstanding improvement of symptoms, all 32 refugees remained PTSD positive at the diagnostic level at the 6-week follow-up.