PTSD
(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Have You Been Through Something Traumatic and Now Experience Possible Symptoms of PTSD? You are Not Alone!
After someone experiences or witnesses something deeply overwhelming, frightening, or life-threatening they might develop Post-Traumatic Stress/Disorder (PTSD.) PTSD affects more than just people who have served in the armed forces - ANYONE can experience trauma - and the sources of trauma and stress differ for different people.
If you experienced a trying event or prolonged period of trauma, what you went through can still be affecting you emotionally, and psychologically - even long after the danger is over. This is how PTSD can happen.
Not everyone develops PTSD, but sometimes the mind stays stuck in “survival mode.” It’s not something you’re doing wrong. It’s the brain’s way of trying to protect you, just in a way that’s become painful over time. PTSD is not about being broken or weak, it’s about how deeply you were affected, and how your system is still trying to make sense of what happened.
Then what is PTSD?
Post-traumatic Stress/Disorder is a condition where you might re-experience a historically painful situation or terrifying event through having nightmares or flashbacks. If you have been struggling for at least one month or have noticed a decline in your work or social functioning you should consider treatment for PTSD.
Diagnosing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Common PTSD Symptoms
People diagnosed with PTSD often have a few common experiences:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Include:
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Trauma: Exposure to actual or threatened trauma, death, serious injury, extreme events or violence.
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Intrusive symptoms: Vivid distressing memories, nightmares (recurrent frightening dreams), or flashbacks (dissociative reaction of feeling like you’re back in the moment or the traumatic event is recurring)
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Avoidance: Trying to stay away from places, people, or even thoughts that remind you of what happened.
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Negative thoughts and feelings: Like feeling numb, disconnected, guilty, or struggling to feel safe or hopeful in response to trauma.
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Hyperarousal: Feeling easily startled, or stuck on high alert
The Good News is that PTSD is Treatable!
What To Expect as a Patient - And What Makes Our PTSD Treatment So Effective?
Treatment for PTSD
With us you can find a therapist that can help you process what happened and start to feel safe again- not just physically, but emotionally too. Together you can develop healthy coping mechanisms in a safe environment. There are therapies that can help you feel like you don’t need to stay in survival mode and you can stay in the present.
Therapy:
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Prolonged Exposure Therapy - Involves gradually confronting trauma-related memories or feelings.
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Cognitive Processing Therapy - Focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs about the trauma.
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Mindfulness-Based Therapy- an approach that uses mindfulness to help people become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations.
Also, at Brightland Health, you can find the best Psychiatrist to help with PTSD. Medications may be prescribed to help you recover from bad memories.
Medications for PTSD
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
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Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
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Alpha Blockers
Your feelings are valid, you don’t have to carry this alone. It is ok to take your healing one step at a time. Book online or call 312-796-7121 today to find safety and support. We are here to help you find a brighter future.