Traumatic events happen every day. For some people, time is enough to heal the fears and emotional upset caused by either experiencing or witnessing trauma, but for others, months and even years pass and they are still haunted by the incident. When this is accompanied by aggressive and disruptive mental health symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be the issue and treatment may be necessary.
If you are interested in finding an outpatient PTSD treatment program that can help you begin the healing process, contact us at the phone number listed above and get the answers you need to help your loved one move forward in life.
Signs That PTSD Treatment Is Necessary
There are a number of symptoms that can signify a diagnosis of PTSD and indicate a need for treatment. There are three different types of symptoms: re-experiencing the event, avoidance symptoms, and hyperarousal. According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), these can manifest as:
- Experiencing flashbacks of the trauma event
- Nightmares
- Overwhelming fear or scary thoughts
- Avoiding places that remind them of the trauma or any loss they experienced
- Difficulty remembering the specifics of the traumatic event
- Feeling emotionally numb, unable to connect with anyone
- Guilty feelings, especially if others died or were injured in the trauma
- Lack of interest in hobbies or interacting with others or enjoying themselves
- Always on edge, jumpy or tense
- Insomnia
- Aggression or violent outbursts
Any combination of these symptoms at any intensity, when they disrupt the patients’ ability to function at work, carry on relationships with others, or enjoy their lives should be addressed through effective treatment.
Effective Treatment for PTSD
It is possible to experience comprehensive and effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder on an outpatient basis – as long as you choose a rehabilitation program that has the resources to provide your loved one with the psychotherapeutic and pharmacological support they need to heal. NIMH supports the following psychotherapy options in PTSD treatment:
- Exposure therapy. Purposefully “reliving” the traumatic event through talking or writing about it with a therapist in a safe setting can help to eliminate the pain and fear associated with the experience.
- Stress inoculation training. Anxiety- and stress-relief techniques can help patients to lower their overall level of discomfort and agitation.
- Cognitive restructuring. Because many patients can alter the details of an event in their memories and increase their feelings of shame and guilt, reviewing the event through a more realistic lens can help patients to recognize that they don’t have to feel guilty about things that are not their fault.
In some cases, not all, it may be appropriate to incorporate the use of antidepressants to help patients regain their sense of balance. Zoloft and Paxil are both commonly used in the treatment of PTSD, but the doctor may determine that the use of other antidepressants, antipsychotic medication, or benzodiazepines may be appropriate instead or as well.
Your Loved One’s Best Chance Against PTSD
If you would like to learn more about PTSD treatment and how to find a center that can help you or your loved one begin the healing process, please contact us at 615-490-9376.
