- Because the patient’s reported hallucinations are not persecutory, as a clinician, what medications would you start with?
- What treatments (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) are most effective for patients with extensive trauma history?
- What symptoms could be co-occurring in relation to PTSD vs schizophrenia for this patient?
The patient’s reported hallucinations are not persecutory
Full Answer Section
- Mood stabilizers: Mood stabilizers can also be effective for treating hallucinations. They work by stabilizing mood swings and reducing impulsivity. Some common mood stabilizers include lithium, carbamazepine (Tegretol), and lamotrigine (Lamictal).
- Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that can help people to process their trauma and develop coping skills. Some common types of psychotherapy for trauma include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
- Medication: Medication can also be used to treat trauma-related symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Some common medications used to treat trauma-related symptoms include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and sleep aids.
- Re-experiencing the trauma (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares)
- Avoiding reminders of the trauma
- Negative thoughts and feelings related to the trauma
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions (e.g., hyperarousal, irritability, difficulty concentrating)
- Hallucinations (e.g., hearing voices, seeing things that aren't there)
- Delusions (e.g., false beliefs)
- Disorganized thinking and speech
- Reduced motivation and social withdrawal
- Hallucinations (e.g., hearing voices, seeing things that aren't there)
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Hyperarousal
Sample Answer
First-line medications for non-persecutory hallucinations include:
- Antipsychotics: Antipsychotics are the most effective medications for treating hallucinations. They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. Some common antipsychotics include risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), and quetiapine (Seroquel).
- Atypical antipsychotics: Atypical antipsychotics are a newer type of antipsychotic that has fewer side effects than traditional antipsychotics. Some common atypical antipsychotics include aripiprazole (Abilify), brexpiprazole (Rexulti), and ziprasidone (Geodon).