POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

Both PTSD and acute stress disorder are marked by increased stress and anxiety following exposure to a traumatic or stressful event. Traumatic or stressful events may include being a witness to or being involved in a violent accident or crime, military combat, or assault, being kidnapped, being involved in a natural disaster, being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, or experiencing systematic physical or sexual abuse. 

PTSD can cause four distinct types of symptoms that vary in severity: 

Intrusive thoughts These can include distressing dreams or flashbacks, where your memories feel as vivid as the actual event, and they can be distressing and involuntary. 

Avoidance behaviors you might start avoiding people, places, and situations that trigger distressing memories, which can significantly limit your daily life and activities. 

Alterations in cognition and mood: Inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event, negative thoughts and feelings leading to ongoing and distorted beliefs about oneself or others, these include feelings of guilt, fear, or anger, as well as emotional detachment and disinterest in activities you once enjoyed. 

Reactive symptoms: These can include heightened irritability, impulsive behavior, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating. 

Treatment Management

For a person to be diagnosed with PTSD, however, symptoms must last for more than a month and must cause significant distress or problems in your daily functioning.

At Lifeway Mental Health, the provider offers personalized treatment plans for PTSD that combine various therapeutic modalities to alleviate symptoms and enhance your overall well-being. Approach typically involves a blend of medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. 

Medication can help regulate your brain chemistry and alleviate your symptoms, allowing you to focus on exploring your memories, thoughts, and feelings during therapy. 

Therapy Through counseling, you can learn effective coping techniques and strategies to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. 

Lifestyle modifications may also recommend making lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and ensuring adequate sleep to support your recovery from PTSD. If you’re experiencing long-term effects on your mental health due to a traumatic experience, don’t hesitate to reach out to Lifeway Mental Health for individualized care. Call or schedule an appointment online today.