PTSD Treatment
PTSD is commonly associated with panic attacks, extreme anxiety, and even depression. It can present as part of a dual diagnosis and cause some individuals to turn to substance use as a coping mechanism. When co-occurring mental health disorders exist, the effect of each individual condition can worsen, making effective treatment and professional help a necessity.
Who PTSD Typically Affects
PTSD is generally more prevalent in employees who work in certain industries like the public sector or the military, but it can occur in anyone who has witnessed or experienced firsthand a grave, terrifying, or life-altering event. In many cases, people with PTSD may attempt to avoid anything that might trigger a flashback to the source event. Those who experience this condition most commonly include:
- First responders such as police officers, firefighters, or EMTs
- Veterans
- Survivors of physical or sexual abuse
- Victims of a severe car accident
- People who have been through a violent event (like a shooting or bombing)
- Individuals who have experienced a natural disaster
Common Symptoms and Triggers of PTSD
It’s imperative to recognize the key characteristics of PTSD so that increased awareness can be raised and the condition can be more promptly diagnosed and treated. Here are several of the symptoms and triggers commonly associated with this disorder.
Symptoms of PTSD:
- An enhanced predisposition to anger
- Having frequent unpleasant memories
- Being easily startled or frightened
- Experiencing nightmares more often than usual
- Dealing with chronic headaches or dizziness
- Feeling increased anxiety or depression
- Regularly experiencing panic attacks
- Having paranoia or phobias of social situations
- Exhibiting harmful behaviors
- Wrestling with insomnia
- In extreme instances, having hallucinatory episodes
Triggers of PTSD:
- Sudden loud noises or movements
- Chaotic environments
- Other people
- The news or recent stories
- Smells or other types of sensory perceptions
- Different types of colors
- Certain foods
- Specific locations from the past
- Physical contact
- Various inanimate objects
- Specific time windows throughout the day
PTSD Treatment Options
To help treat PTSD, a number of options exist that help address both the symptoms of the disorder and the mental aspects behind those symptoms. Depending on your case, a mental health professional may bundle two or more kinds of treatment options together to form a comprehensive management plan for your PTSD. Several effective treatment methods are listed below.
Therapy: Individual counseling or group therapy may be recommended depending on your specific triggers or symptoms. Therapy sessions can help relax an individual by giving them a cathartic outlet to talk through their feelings with a trained professional.
Medication: Various medications may be prescribed by your doctor to help ease some of your PTSD symptoms. Medicines like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help certain individuals with improved mood regulation and stress reduction.
Education: Patient resources like literature, awareness programs, and podcasts can all shine a greater light on PTSD and help you learn more about the disorder. If you’re struggling with a PTSD diagnosis, be sure to pursue additional help in the form of new educational materials.
Peer Support: Forging a strong support system to help you manage your PTSD both now and into the future is one final treatment worth exploring. Support networks might include contacting peers who also struggle with PTSD, meeting with trained professionals, or fostering continued discussions about how you’re feeling.
Contact API
At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we’re passionate about helping individuals who struggle with many different kinds of mental health disorders—including PTSD. If this disorder is negatively affecting your life or the life of someone close to you, contact us today to learn more about our specific PTSD programs and how they may be able to help.
