Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is diagnosed in close to 10% of Americans. PTSD does not develop in everyone who experiences trauma. However, for those who have this mental health disorder, the consequences are extremely disruptive. As a result, it becomes difficult to function normally in many aspects of life. No one deserves to live with a debilitating mental health disorder like PTSD. The good news is that help is available. A PTSD treatment program can offer you or someone you care about evidence-based therapies so healing can begin.
To learn more about this disorder, including the signs of PTSD, reach out to Roaring Brook Recovery. We can answer your questions such as, “What is PTSD?” or “How does PTSD treatment work?” Becoming informed of the options and opportunities available to you at Roaring Brook can be a first step toward empowerment and healing. Call us at 855.590.9944.
What Is PTSD?
A PTSD definition might look like this: a mental health disorder that occurs in some people who have experienced a traumatic (shocking, invasive, dangerous, or frightening) event. It is typically characterized by some or all of these: re-living, avoidance, arousal and reactivity, and cognition and mood symptoms.
PTSD symptoms are unpredictable and usually severe enough to make normal functioning difficult at unexpected times and thus difficult to compensate for. It is common for people experiencing PTSD to seek relief through self-medication with drugs or alcohol, and co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) are common. Nearly half of those with PTSD have an addiction as well.
Signs of PTSD
The symptoms by which a professional would diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder may involve all four of the PTSD symptom types or be mainly within one area. There is no correct or single way to experience PTSD.
- Flashbacks, nightmares, and frightening intrusive thoughts are all examples of re-living PTSD symptoms.
- Emotional detachment or numbness, memory loss around the traumatic event/s, guilt, depression, anxiety, or apathy can all manifest as avoidance symptoms.
- Reactivity and arousal can show up as extreme tension, being quick to startle, eruptions of anger, or poor sleep.
- Mood and cognitive signs include hyper-negativity, fearful thoughts, lack of interest in things that once brought joy, feelings with no basis, or distorted feelings out of proportion to triggers. Loss of memory of the trauma can show up here, too.
All of these symptoms can be nearly constant or show up at random throughout the day. Either way, they disrupt your well-being and ability to navigate normal events or day-to-day challenges.
PTSD Treatment Program
At Roaring Brook Recovery, our experienced, professional clinicians will help diagnose PTSD. Then, they’ll create a treatment plan that is evidence-based and trauma-informed. Some of the elements of our intensive outpatient program (IOP) for co-occurring PTSD and addiction are:
- Individual therapy – Working with a therapist using behavioral or other therapeutic techniques is a foundation of PTSD treatment.
- Group therapy – Involving working in a group under the supervision and guidance of a psychotherapist, this form of therapy can offer additional support, accountability, and collaborative processing.
- Medication – Often, the use of medications such as SSRIs can help with symptom management, for example the anxiety, depression, numbness, and high activation of PTSD. There are other medications that may be suggested for other symptoms as well.
- Neurofeedback therapy – A non-invasive treatment that helps you amplify the connection between mind and body to achieve a calm mind and manage PTSD triggers effectively.
Roaring Brook offers thoughtful therapeutic modalities and wrap-around care managed by a team of devoted, compassionate providers. For quality mental health and substance abuse treatment, Roaring Brook can be your solution.
Contact Roaring Brook Recovery Today About PTSD Treatment
There is no reason to suffer the disruption and stress of PTSD. If you are struggling with symptoms of PTSD and a co-occurring SUD, help is available. Reach out to Roaring Brook Recovery by calling us at 855.590.9944 or using our online contact form.
Trauma can happen to anyone, but it does not have to derail your life. We are here to help.