Many people suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), more than you might think. It is a psychological scar from traumatic events that are often not diagnosed or treated.
Keep reading as we shed light on the intricacies of understanding post-traumatic stress disorder, debunking its myths, and present effective treatments for PTSD!
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an intricate mental health ailment that can develop after one has experienced or witnessed a terrifying event.
This might be anything ranging from natural calamities to severe accidents, violent assaults, or war horrors.
Such traumatic experiences can have profound impacts on someone, leaving behind permanent scars on the mind and emotions, resulting in symptoms of PTSD.
Who Does PTSD Affect?
PTSD affects anyone regardless of age, sex, and race.
Approximately 8 percent of all people will go through at least one episode of PTSD over their lifetimes.
However, certain groups are more vulnerable than others, like military veterans and first responders who are exposed to high levels of trauma.
Symptoms of PTSD
The signs of PTSD affect all aspects of life, including body processes as well as mental ones. Some common signs include:
- Vivid Nightmares: These refer to disturbing dreams associated with the traumatic experience.
- Flashbacks: The person will relive a traumatic experience as if it were happening again.
- Severe Anxiety: The person has intense feelings of fear that they cannot control or worry that they cannot control.
- Uncontrollable Thoughts: These refer to thoughts persistently intruding since the event occurred.
- Physical Reactions: Each time they remember the trauma, they breathe fast, sweat, or feel nauseated.
Dealing with these symptoms can be tricky, but with support and therapy, their impact can be lessened.
PTSD and Addiction: A Complex Relationship
There is a strong connection between PTSD and addiction.
People living with PTSD are more prone to using substances as a way of self-medication, which in turn leads to substance abuse and addiction.
Research has established that nearly half of those pursuing treatment for substance use disorders have PTSD.
Understanding Post-Traumatic Disorder Treatment
There are various ways of treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These include:
- Psychotherapy (talk therapy): This is when one talks about the traumatic events they went through with an experienced therapist.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): It involves helping clients identify negative thoughts and behaviors that should be changed.
- Exposure Therapy: In this method, traumatized clients are gradually put under increased exposure to memories or situations that brought about the trauma to reduce anxiety and fear.
- Trauma Therapy: Focuses on an individual’s mental health by addressing the experiences of trauma specifically.
- Medication: Occasionally, doctors may prescribe medication for treating symptoms of PTSD.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation help people process traumatic memories and lessen distress.
Don’t forget that treatment for PTSD is not a one-size-fits-all type of thing!
Therefore, the best strategy would be to confer with mental health professionals so that they can come up with a treatment plan that suits you.
Thrive Group Treatment Centers: Your Friend in PTSD Treatment
At Thrive Group Treatment Centers, we recognize the complex nature of PTSD and are aware of the bravery it calls for to make a step towards seeking help.
Our crew of seasoned therapists provides various options for treating PTSD, such as Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), traditional outpatient care, teen outpatient care, and sober living facilities.
In case you or your loved one has PTSD, we urge you to get in touch with us.
Remember, understanding post-traumatic stress disorder is crucial as this begins the healing process. Let us go through the recovery journey together and restore some control into your life.
