PTSD

What is post-traumatic stress disorder?

First recognized as a mental health condition in 1980 and applied to Vietnam Veterans, PTSD has become a commonly diagnosed disorder that can develop in anyone who’s experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. For instance, children who witness an adult caregiver’s or sibling’s physical abuse may develop PTSD.

Common triggers for PTSD include:

• Combat exposure
• Childhood physical abuse
• Life-threatening medical diagnosis
• Sexual violence
• Fire
• Tornados, hurricanes, or other natural disasters
• Physical assault
• Mugging or home invasion
• Plane crash
• Being threatened with a weapon
• Car accident

Anyone can develop PTSD, but individuals assigned female at birth are twice as likely to develop it than people assigned male at birth.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD symptoms may include:

• Dreams, nightmares, or flashbacks about the trauma
• Increased heart rate or other physical reaction to a reminder of the event
• Avoiding places, activities, or people who remind you of the trauma
• Refusal to discuss the event
• Hopelessness about the future
• Difficulty remembering important details of the trauma
• Problems maintaining close relationships
• Feeling detached from family or friends
• Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Being easily startled
• Irritability or anger outbursts
• Difficulty sleeping   

PTSD symptoms can vary and may become more intense over time, eventually leading to depression, phobias, social isolation, or suicidal ideation. Fortunately, PTSD responds well to comprehensive treatment strategies designed to identify the issue, address your feelings about the trauma, and counter its effects by establishing positive thought patterns or behaviors.

What can I expect during PTSD treatment?

At WellMind Behavioral Health & Wellness, treatment for PTSD starts with an initial intake session that includes a review of your current symptoms. Your provider may also ask questions about your existing social relationships, family responsibilities, or how your symptoms interfere with future goals. Based on evaluation results, your therapist designs a treatment strategy that typically includes individual psychotherapy, group therapy, or family therapy. 

Some patients may also benefit from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, colloquially known as EMDR therapy. This cutting-edge treatment allows your provider to guide you through memories of a traumatic event in distinct ways. Combined with your therapist’s instructions and specific eye movements, EMDR therapy will enable you to reprocess what you remember from the event and aid in “repairing” the mental injury from that memory. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can recover from psychological trauma, similarly to how the body recovers from physical trauma.

Anti-anxiety medication or oral antidepressants can relieve stress-induced anxiety or depression that interferes with your work, home, or social life. Ketamine infusion therapy is often successful in managing PTSD, especially for adults not responding to other medications. 

You can overcome PTSD. Schedule an appointment today by calling the office or requesting an evaluation online.