My friend is very aggressive since he has returned from Afghanistan after his tour duty, I believe he has PTSD

Question

He was not like this before he left for Afghanistan. Are there any right medications which I can look up before I suggest to him ?

Answer 1

Encourage him to see a doc--

http://able-mart.com/ptsd

Answer 2

Your friend may be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or he might not be. I strongly suggest that, You should take him to a professional psychologist for further proper evaluation.

Speaking of medication, there are many kinds; mood-stabilizers such lithium carbonate, divalproex sodium and carbemazepine if there is significant uncontrolled mood or aggression. Risperidone is used to help with dissociation, mood and aggression, and benzodiazepines are used for short-term anxiety relief. Do remember that these drugs are not available over the counter of a pharmacy without a prescription.

I Wish Your Friend Good Physical And Mental Health !

Answer 3

PTSD is likely if he's seen combat, but is not something that just goes away with medications.   I've not heard of mood stabilizers being used, but am not disputing the post above.

I do know that intensive talk therapy is important, though, and that it takes months to years for it to help.  I'd want my friend to talk to a clinical psychologist and get that therapy.  It would help him get a good evaluation of what his problem is, exactly, and would help a psychiatrist to choose any medications that might be appropriate.

Personally, I went through a minor case of PTSD years ago, and medications did not help me.  I am not anti-medications at all - I'm a pharmacologist.  And I'm not saying my personal experience will be like his.  But when I couldn't sleep, the strongest sleeping pills didn't do more than get me to sleep for an hour or two.  When I was experiencing incapacitating and alternating melancholy and anxiety, the strongest tranquilizers didn't help much and the usual antidepressants didn't help at all.  It took talk therapy and time.

My short answer is that I would try to find him a therapist with experience in treating PTSD and go from there.  I also wouldn't presume that the problem is PTSD, even if it's consistent with his having been in combat - let someone make a diagnosis before you start talking about medications.