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Medical Author:

Maria Pease, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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PTSD Prevention

Some medications have been tried to lower the intense physiologic arousal and to prevent the brain from forming traumatic memories right after the trauma, including the beta-blocker medication propranolol. Now, morphine has recently been showing significant promise when used in this capacity in soldiers during the Iraq war.

There are studies under way to see if there are laboratory markers such as low cortisol that may help predict who might develop PTSD.

Family support, clergy support, psychotherapy, and education about the medical aspects of PTSD are all important in preventing PTSD.