This story is part of The Power of Resilience, a Men’s Health special project that explores what resilience really is through science and the stories of men who’ve lived it. To learn more about the others, go here.
WITH POST-TRAUMATIC stress disorder affecting about 8 million people a year—and still no single treatment that works for everyone—researchers have pushed to find even more therapies that may help. Since so many of them go by acronyms, we created a decoder of the most promising of the newer strategies being put into play right now. Here’s what’s what among them.
The treatment: MDMA
aka: Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine
What it is: Yes, Ecstasy. Researchers are enhancing psychotherapies with controlled, monitored dosages to help people break through walls they’re hitting in therapy. A recently completed phase 3 clinical trial showed that MDMA-assisted therapy eliminated PTSD diagnoses in 67 percent of people after four and a half months of treatment.
The treatment: EMDR
aka: Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing
What it is: You discuss memories of trauma while moving your eyes in certain patterns. The technique was developed in 1987, and though it’s recommended by the American Psychological Association and the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, scientists still don’t know how it works. EMDR treatments have been shown to reduce PTSD symptoms or eliminate the diagnosis altogether.
The treatment: TXT
aka: Texting
What it is: Text-messaging with a therapist could turn out to be an effective alternative to in-person therapy, but more research is needed. It’s the next step to make PTSD treatments more accessible so that there will be fewer dropouts and greater success.
The treatment: ABT
aka: Activity-based therapies
What it is: Holistic practitioners and therapists alike are offering white-water rafting, surfing, fly-fishing, art therapy, and yoga to help diminish the effects of PTSD. Alone, they can’t do the whole job, but they may play a valuable role. “The goal of PTSD treatment isn’t just getting rid of symptoms. It’s about getting back to life and having a sense of well-being,” says Paula Schnurr, Ph.D., the executive director of the National Center for PTSD at the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2021 issue of Men’s Health.
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