Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder using integrative medicine: Case history

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex multifactorial mental disorder with unknown aetiology and heterogeneous presentations. Due to its complexity, in order for treatment to be effective, the treatment approach should be individualised, integrated and multidisciplinary, and address the four major biopsychosocial components: (1) genetics, age, sex, race and existing medical conditions; (2) diet, lifestyle and smoking; (3) depression, anxiety, stress or excessive anger; and (4) social support system, quality of marriage and finances. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has proved itself to be safe and effective for many disorders, and its application in the treatment of mental disorders is increasing. This article presents a case study in which an integrative approach that combined psychiatric medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine was effective in helping the patient return to her normal lifestyle.