How to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder With Zyprexa

Widely known by the brand name Zyprexa, olanzapine is an atypical anti-psychotic drug often used to treat difficult cases of post-traumatic stress disorder. While the drug's exact mode of action is not exactly known, it is suspected of manipulating the body's production of serotonin as a means of fighting the depression and anxiety typically associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Psychotherapist and/or psychiatrist
• Zyprexa prescription (use as directed)

Use Zyprexa to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

1. Report your lasting symptoms to a qualified mental health professional in order to receive a positive diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms must persist for at least a month for a doctor to be able to diagnose the syndrome, and the stresses the symptoms cause must be shown to significantly compromise your quality of life.

2. Engage in psychotherapy in addition to your regimen of drug treatment. Taking Zyprexa alone will not defeat post-traumatic stress disorder. Consider drugs to be a supplementary means of managing symptoms and therapy the primary curative treatment.

3. Ask about the common side effects of Zyprexa. These include weight gain, insomnia and menstrual irregularities. Remember that you have other drug options at your disposal to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, if you decide the risks of Zyprexa outweigh its potential benefits.

4. Keep in mind that Zyprexa is not recommended for use in elderly patients, due to the significantly increased risk of stroke associated with its use in older people.

5. Have your doctor prescribe Zyprexa to you. Treat your symptoms with the drug, reporting any side effects to your doctor right away.

6. Continue with your individual or group therapy sessions, as scheduled, while you use Zyprexa as directed by your doctor.

7. Stay in close communication with your doctor throughout your treatment program. If your symptoms diminish or vanish entirely, continue taking Zyprexa as directed by your doctor until you are told it is safe to discontinue use.

Tips & Warnings

• Other drugs commonly used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder include the following brand names: Effexor, Zoloft, Seroquel, Lamotrigine, Remeron and Prozac.
• Always take Zyprexa as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor about any other medications you're taking before you begin using Zyprexa to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Zyprexa carries some risk of tardive dyskinesia, which is a loss of voluntary muscle control. Other extremely rare but potentially life-threatening side effects have also been reported. Learn more by speaking to your doctor.

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