PTSD Treatment

What is PTSD?

Many people who have undergone something traumatic in their lives face difficult emotions and stressful reactions that fade away as time passes. For some, however, those feelings and reactions don’t diminish, and they instead have a continued negative impact on their lives, such as causing feelings of stress or fear even if there is no danger. Those people may be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

What causes PTSD?

Events that are shocking, dangerous, or scary can cause someone to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Many people think of PTSD triggers as dangerous events such as military combat, but not everyone with PTSD has been through something dangerous. Other experiences, such as the death of a loved one, can also be PTSD causes, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Types of PTSD

Events that are shocking, dangerous, or scary can cause someone to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Many people think of PTSD triggers as dangerous events such as military combat, but not everyone with PTSD has been through something dangerous. Other experiences, such as the death of a loved one, can also be PTSD causes, according to the National Institutes of Health.

PTSD Signs and PTSD Symptoms

Symptoms of PTSD often start within 3 months of the triggering incident, but in some cases they can take much longer to appear — even years.

Doctors familiar with mental illnesses, such as psychologists or psychiatrists, can diagnose PTSD. To be diagnosed with PTSD, a person must have PTSD symptoms that last for more than a month, and the PTSD symptoms must be impactful enough to interfere with their work or relationships, according to NIH.

All of the following must occur for at least one month before a diagnosis of PTSD can be reached, according to NIH:

1. At least two mood and cognition symptoms
   1. Trouble remembering major parts of the traumatic event
   2. Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
   3. Feelings of guilt or blame
   4. Negative feelings toward oneself or the world
2. At least two reactivity and arousal symptoms
   1. Being startled easily
   2. Feeling tense, nervous, or jittery
   3. Angry outbursts
   4. Difficulty sleeping
3. At least one avoidance symptom
   1. Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the triggering event
   2. Staying away from places, people, and things that remind someone of the event
4. At least one re-experiencing symptom
   1. Flashbacks, which may be accompanied by sweating or a racing heart
   2. Bad dreams
   3. Frightening thoughts

PTSD symptoms in women may differ from PTSD symptoms in men. According to the Office on Women’s Health, women with PTSD are more likely than men with PTSD to be easily startled, to have difficulty feeling emotions, to have mental health problems that cause them to feel depressed or anxious, and to avoid things that remind them of the traumatic event.

What is PTSD Treatment and What Does That Look Like at PRC?

PTSD treatment usually includes psychotherapy and PTSD medication. The Phoenix Recovery Center is equipped to offer treatment for PTSD, which includes PTSD therapy that can help patients process the traumatic event that brought on their post-traumatic stress disorder. Our services include an Inpatient Residential Program, Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) Day Program, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and General Outpatient Program (GOP).