Post-traumatic stress disorder, often known as PTSD, can affect anyone.

Living through any traumatic event is difficult. But for people with PTSD, it feels impossible to let go of those memories or feelings.

When your symptoms affect your daily routine, and your illness interferes with your relationships, it may be time to talk with a mental health professional.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is a challenging and sometimes devastating mental health condition that includes many possible symptoms. It typically centers around a traumatic experience. You may have directly experienced that trauma or witnessed the event happening to someone else. Some people develop PTSD when they learn about the violent or unexpected death of a family member or friend.  

Examples of trauma include war zone exposure, physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist attacks, and child sexual or physical abuse. The illness can occur soon after the event, or it can start later. Symptoms may come and go over many years.

Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD affects people differently, even if two people experienced the exact same traumatic event at the same time. But there are four types of symptoms that are common to most people with PTSD:

• Re-experiencing – You may experience intrusive thoughts about the event, including nightmares, flashbacks, and being emotionally or physically distressed by reminders of the event.
• Negative changes in cognition and mood – Some people describe this as emotional numbness. You may also experience an inability to feel positive emotions, have negative beliefs about yourself or the world, and assign blame to yourself or others regarding the trauma.
• Avoidance – You may avoid activities, places, or people that remind you of the event, and this avoidance can lead to feelings of isolation. You may also avoid thinking or talking about the event.
• Hyperarousal – These symptoms include trouble sleeping, being quick to anger, or being easily startled.

What Does PTSD Treatment Look Like?

PTSD is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis. So, your treatment plan should be customized to meet your unique needs. Our facility is equipped to help individuals with PTSD with a broad range of treatments.

Both psychotherapy and medication have been shown to be effective in treating PTSD. Medication may include antidepressants, while anti-anxiety medications may help ease symptoms in the short-term.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that addresses PTSD in two ways. It helps people face and control their fear through safe exposure to the memory, and it also helps people challenge their recollection of the event, as well as ongoing negative thought patterns.

Other treatment for PTSD may include group therapy, which can help lessen feelings of shame and reduce feelings of helplessness. Mindfulness training and holistic therapies, like yoga and art therapy, are also effective for treating PTSD.

Depending on the level of care you need, you may be recommended for inpatient mental health treatment, which provides 24-hour medical monitoring as well as opportunities to participate in individual, group, and family therapy sessions. Following inpatient treatment, some people will step down into outpatient mental health treatment treatment, while others may begin their PTSD treatment as an outpatient. In outpatient care, you’ll receive comprehensive treatment that includes therapy and medication management.

Co-occurring Disorders

Many people with PTSD also struggle with other mental illnesses, including depression, substance use, or another anxiety disorder. It’s important that your treatment plan address all of your needs and goals for recovery.

How Do I Get Help for PTSD?

Your first step toward recovery is to have a complete assessment. Our team of specialists will ask about your physical and mental health, along with any symptoms you’re currently experiencing. You can schedule a no-obligation assessment by calling or chatting with us anytime, day or night. We also accept walk-in appointments.

Following your assessment, we’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan customized to meet your specific needs.