What non-pharmacological interventions are effective for managing PTSD in primary care?

Effective non-pharmacological interventions for managing PTSD in primary care include trauma-focused psychological treatments such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which typically involves up to 12 sessions and includes exposure therapy, trauma-focused cognitive therapy, and re-establishing adaptive functioning ¹.

Trauma-focused CBT should be adapted to the individual's age and development, involving parents or carers as appropriate for children and young people ¹.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) may be offered to children and young people aged 7 to 17 years with PTSD if they do not respond to or engage with trauma-focused CBT ².

Active monitoring is recommended for people with subthreshold symptoms of PTSD within 1 month of a traumatic event, with follow-up contact arranged within 1 month ¹.

Psychologically-focused debriefing is not recommended for the prevention or treatment of PTSD ¹.