Target symptoms	Medication class	Recommended medications	Comments
Dissociative flashbacks or intrusive memories	Beta blockers	Propranolol (Inderal), 10 mg, one to two tablets four times a day, as needed	Can be used as needed or on a regular basis.
Nightmares of trauma	Benzodiazepines	Various	Try to avoid chronic, daily use; cyproheptadine (Periactin), 4 mg at bedtime, is an alternative treatment.
Psychotic-like illusions or hallucinations of the trauma	Atypical neuroleptics	Olanzapine (Zyprexa), 2.5 to 5 mg once a day, as needed	Other atypical or traditional neuroleptic medications can also be used.
Avoidance, numbing and diminished interests	Antidepressants	Various (SSRIs recommended as initial therapy)	Other SSRIs, as well as tricyclic antidepressants, can be tried.
Hyperarousal or irritability	Beta blockers	Propranolol, as above	Alternatives include usual doses of antianxiety medication such as buspirone (Buspar) and benzodiazepines.
Mixed symptoms	Anticonvulsant mood stabilizers	Divalproex (Depakote), 250 to 500 mg three times a day, or all at bedtime	Carbamazepine (Tegretol), 400 to 800 mg per day, is an alternative treatment.