Why Trauma Treatment Fails -- and What Actually Helps

Just recently, I was talking to someone who’d been placed on an antipsychotic — a heavy medication designed for conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with psychosis.
He wasn’t psychotic. He wasn’t bipolar.

But he was exhausted, agitated, unable to think clearly, and terrified something was deeply wrong with him.

I referred him to a trauma-aware nurse practitioner I trust. I didn’t tell her anything about him beforehand.

Within the first appointment, she said something that shifted everything:

“I’m not convinced this is bipolar. But I am convinced you have PTSD.”

She immediately began reducing the antipsychotic — because the medication wasn’t treating the real issue and was making him exceedingly tired too.

And here’s the thing:
 It’s not that antipsychotics are always bad. They save lives.
 But they also come with significant side effects — and if they’re not necessary, they shouldn’t be used.

That conversation reminded me just how often this happens — not only with medication, but with therapy too.

People aren’t failing treatment.
Treatment is failing them.

And I want you to know exactly why. 

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