Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often develops in people who have served in the military, but it also affects 7% of adults who experience a traumatic event in everyday life. The skilled mental health professionals at MindSpa Psychiatry in Boynton Beach, Florida, have extensive experience helping adults overcome the anxiety, flashbacks, and intense emotions of PTSD. They provide comprehensive PTSD treatment through telemedicine, making their services available to anyone living in Florida. To schedule an appointment, call the office or request one online today.
PTSD begins after you experience or witness a traumatic event or prolonged exposure to a frightening or stressful experience.
The traumatic events most often responsible for PTSD include:
You can also develop PTSD after hearing about a traumatic event experienced by a close friend or family member.
Everyone experiences anxiety after a traumatic event, but fear and other feelings should gradually improve. If you still have intense feelings after a month, you may have PTSD.
In addition to ongoing anxiety, PTSD causes symptoms such as:
Avoidance means you purposefully steer clear of the people, places, and activities that may trigger memories of your traumatic event. Your need to avoid flashbacks and memories is so intense you may skip out on work or reschedule daily activities.
During a traumatic event, your brain records the details, like smells, sounds, and other sensations. However, you don’t remember them because your brain tucks them away in your subconscious.
Eventually, you will encounter one of those details as you go about your daily life. Then, the detail triggers your subconscious, bringing back vivid memories of the trauma. Suddenly remembering the traumatic event leads to powerful emotions and behaviors that can be difficult to manage.
Your provider at MedSpa Psychiatry develops a customized treatment plan based on your symptoms and whether you have other challenges frequently associated with PTSD, such as insomnia and depression.
PTSD treatment often includes medication, either alone or with therapy. Your provider may prescribe antidepressants to treat the core symptoms of PTSD. For example, antidepressants can help relieve anger, sadness, and worry.
Your provider may recommend other medications for difficult symptoms, such as anxiety or agitation.
Several types of therapy can help you cope with your feelings, make sense of your memories, and learn coping skills for dealing with memory triggers.
If your PTSD symptoms don’t improve or get worse, call MindSpa Psychiatry or request an appointment online today.