Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event—something that was life-threatening, caused serious injury, or involved sexual violence. This might include combat, assault, accidents, natural disasters, or childhood abuse. While it's normal to have difficulty coping after trauma, PTSD involves persistent symptoms that interfere with daily life and don't improve on their own. These symptoms can feel overwhelming, making you feel like you'll never escape the trauma.

Recognizing PTSD Symptoms

PTSD symptoms fall into four main categories. Intrusive memories include flashbacks where you feel like you're reliving the trauma, nightmares, and distressing thoughts or images that won't go away. Avoidance involves staying away from places, people, activities, or thoughts that remind you of the trauma, often limiting your life significantly. Negative changes in thinking and mood include difficulty remembering aspects of the trauma, negative beliefs about yourself or the world, persistent feelings of fear, guilt, or shame, and loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.

Changes in arousal and reactivity include being easily startled, feeling on edge or hypervigilant, having angry outbursts, engaging in reckless behavior, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating. These symptoms can make you feel like you're stuck in survival mode, unable to relax or feel safe. PTSD can also lead to depression, anxiety, substance use, and relationship problems. It's important to understand that PTSD is not a sign of weakness—it's a natural response to overwhelming trauma.

Our Approach to Healing

We understand that discussing trauma is difficult, and we create a safe, supportive environment where you can share your experiences at your own pace. Our evaluation process is sensitive and thorough, helping us understand how PTSD affects your life and what treatment approaches will be most helpful. Treatment typically includes medication to help manage symptoms like nightmares, hyperarousal, anxiety, and depression. Medications such as SSRIs or SNRIs can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms and improve quality of life.

We also provide education about PTSD and trauma responses, helping you understand that your reactions are normal responses to abnormal events. While medication management is our primary focus, we can coordinate with trauma-specialized therapists for evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). We support you in developing healthy coping strategies and rebuilding your sense of safety and control.

Reclaim Your Life After Trauma

Living with PTSD can feel isolating and hopeless, but recovery is possible. With proper treatment and support, you can process your trauma, reduce distressing symptoms, and move forward with your life. You deserve to feel safe, peaceful, and in control again. If you're struggling with trauma or PTSD symptoms, please reach out. We're here to provide compassionate, effective care that honors your experience and supports your healing. Contact us today to begin your journey toward recovery.