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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, like combat, a natural disaster, an accident, or an assault. If you have PTSD, you might relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares, feel intense distress when reminded of it, and avoid anything that brings back memories. These reactions can feel like the trauma is happening again, making daily life really challenging.
PTSD can also cause heightened anxiety, irritability, and trouble sleeping or concentrating. You might feel constantly on edge, easily startled, or emotionally numb and detached from others. These symptoms can lead to feelings of isolation and hopelessness.
But always remember, you are not alone and while the trauma you experienced was real, the present-day symptoms can be overcome. The team at Carencia is passionate about helping people like you with PTSD achieve mental wellness through a diverse treatment approach.
Reliving The Moment
One of the most common symptoms associated with PTSD is the feeling that you’re re-experiencing the trauma once again. This can occur during waking hours but may also happen during dreams. In either case, the emotional and physical response can mirror what was experienced during the actual trauma.
Sensory Overload
Experiencing PTSD can feel like being stuck in a storm of emotions. You might feel scared, sad, or angry, especially when something reminds you of the traumatic event. These feelings can be intense and sudden, making it hard to think about anything else. Sometimes, you might feel like you’re not really yourself and struggle to connect with others.
Avoidance
When you’ve suffered from PTSD, it’s common to learn what your triggers are. While this can be beneficial, it can have the negative effect of causing you to avoid people, places, and experiences required to lead a happy, fulfilling life.
Persistent Poor Mood
The range of negative moods experienced during a bout of PTSD can range from anger and aggression to depression and feelings of persistent guilt. For those suffering from PTSD, it can often feel like these emotions are inescapable.
Many of these symptoms also apply to children experiencing PTSD, though there are many more symptoms unique to children worth discussing. Carencia doesn’t treat children experiencing PTSD but we are happy to provide referrals to highly-qualified professionals in that field.
Like most of the conditions we treat through our whole-person therapy approach, PTSD becomes an issue when symptoms make it difficult to go about your everyday life. Beyond its core symptom set, PTSD can also be a trigger for disorders like anxiety, depression, and much more.
It’s important to know that you’re not alone in this. It’s estimated that 13 million people in America just like you will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. We can create a path to mental wellness tailored to your needs and your life to help you get back to being your best self.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common treatment for PTSD that helps you understand and change how you think about and respond to traumatic memories. Through CBT, you can learn coping skills to manage distressing thoughts and emotions, gradually facing and processing traumatic memories in a safe and supportive environment.
Medication-Enabled Treatment
Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms of PTSD, such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia. While medication alone may not address the root causes of PTSD, it can help manage symptoms and improve overall functioning when used in conjunction with therapy.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialized therapy that helps process traumatic memories by stimulating different parts of the brain while recalling distressing experiences. This technique can reduce the intensity of traumatic memories and associated emotional distress, leading to symptom relief and improved emotional well-being.
Our recommended supplements to aid you on your healing journey with PTSD.
Recovery from PTSD is possible, and many people see significant improvement in their symptoms with treatment. Some individuals may fully recover and no longer meet the criteria for PTSD, while others may continue to experience some symptoms but learn to manage them effectively and still lead a fulfilling life.
PTSD can develop immediately after a traumatic event, but it often takes time for symptoms to appear. Some people may begin to experience symptoms within days or weeks, while for others, symptoms may not emerge until months or even years later. This delayed onset can be triggered by subsequent stressors or life changes that bring the trauma to the forefront of the individual’s mind.
PTSD is diagnosed based on specific criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. To be diagnosed, typically a person must have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event and likely exhibits a combination of symptoms in four categories: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. These symptoms usually last for more than one month and cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. A mental health professional at Carencia conducts a thorough assessment to determine if these criteria are met.
