Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Sertraline in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Inclusion Criteria: For people with PTSD: * Meets DSM-IV criteria for PTSD * Medically healthy * Right handed * Learned English prior to age 5 * Agrees to use an effective form of contraception throughout the study For healthy controls: * Medically healthy * Right handed * Has experienced a qualifying traumatic event * Does not meet DSM-IV criteria for present or past PTSD * Learned English prior to age 5 * Agrees to use an effective form of contraception throughout the study Exclusion Criteria: For people with PTSD: * Meets DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder within 6 months prior to study entry * Current suicide risk * History of DSM-IV diagnosis of any the following conditions: schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (including trichotillomania), or eating disorder * Meets DSM-IV criteria for substance use or dependence within the 6 months prior to study entry * Any substance abuse within 2 weeks prior to study entry * Score of greater than 22 on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) with depressive symptoms secondary to PTSD * Current participation in cognitive behavioral psychotherapy that is specifically designed to treat PTSD * Concomitant psychoactive medications * History of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or any disorder that causes chronic neurological problems * Medical illness with central nervous system (CNS) involvement or currently taking medication that affects the CNS * Unstable general medical illness requiring intervention (e.g., HIV infection) * Pregnant, breastfeeding, or plans to become pregnant * Presence of internal metallic objects, such as heart pacemaker, shrapnel, bullets, surgical prostheses, surgical clips, or pins * History of gastric bypass surgery For healthy controls: * Any history of generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder * Any history of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or cyclothymia * Any history of substance abuse or dependence within the 6 months prior to study entry * Any substance use within 2 weeks prior to study entry * Any other Axis I disorder within the year prior to study entry, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and trichotillomania * Unstable general medical illness requiring intervention (e.g., HIV infection) * Presence of internal metallic objects, such as heart pacemaker, shrapnel, bullets, surgical prostheses, surgical clips, or pins * Concomitant psychoactive medications * Patients with a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or any disorder that causes chronic neurological problems * Medical illness with central nervous system (CNS) involvement or currently taking medication that affects the CNS * Cognitive impairment or severe Axis II disorder that will likely affect participation in the study * Pregnant, breastfeeding, or plans to become pregnant