A 26-year-old woman presents to the psychiatric-mental health nurse (PMHNP) for an evaluation. She has a history of trauma and reports weekly flashbacks, depression, startle responses, severe anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Which medication is FDA-approved for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Choice A reason: Fluoxetine is an SSRI that may be used off-label for PTSD but is not specifically FDA-approved for this condition. Choice B reason: This is correct. Sertraline is an SSRI that is FDA-approved for the treatment of PTSD and is effective in reducing core symptoms including re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Choice C reason: Mirtazapine is an antidepressant with sedative properties, sometimes used off-label to improve sleep or mood in PTSD, but it is not FDA-approved for PTSD. Choice D reason: Lamotrigine is a mood stabilizer primarily used for bipolar disorder; it has no FDA approval for PTSD and is not considered first-line therapy.