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You may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if the problems you experience after the exposure to a traumatic event continue for more than a month and cause significant problems in your ability to function in social and work settings and negatively impact relationships. If you or a loved one is experiencing PTSD, you don’t have to handle it alone. In-person and telehealth services are available, so don’t delay. Call Infinity Care in Louisville, Kentucky, to schedule an appointment for outstanding trauma-informed care. Or request an appointment online today.
PTSD Q & A
How do you know if you have PTSD?
Only a medical professional can diagnose PTSD, like the skilled and compassionate experts at Infinity Care.
Diagnosis of the condition requires exposure to an event that involved the actual or possible threat of serious injury, violence, or death, such as:
- You directly experienced a traumatic event
- You witnessed, in person, the trauma occurring to others
- You learned someone close to you experienced or was threatened by the event
PTSD also includes repeated exposure to graphic details of traumatic events. For example, if you or someone close to you is a first responder to the scene, you may experience its effects.
What causes PTSD?
Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Anxiety
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Self-destructive behaviors
In many cases, several mental health disorders can develop as a direct result of withstanding a domestic violence situation, sexual abuse, or other trauma.
How do you treat PTSD?
The primary treatment for PTSD is psychotherapy, but it can also include:
Mental health assessment
When treating PTSD, it’s also essential to address other conditions that are related to traumatic experiences, such as anxiety, depression, or misuse of alcohol or drugs.
Trauma-informed therapy
Several types of therapy may be used to treat PTSD, like cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, and, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
Combining trauma-focused psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medication helps to improve symptoms by teaching patients ways to cope and giving them skills to manage better.
Medication
Your provider works with you to determine the best medication with the fewest side effects for your symptoms and situation. You might see an improvement in symptoms and mood within a few weeks.
Be sure to tell your provider about any side effects or problems. They may need to adjust your dosage or medication schedule before finding the right fit.
Outpatient Program (IOP)
Infinity Care provides intensive outpatient programs (IOP) that address coinciding diagnoses like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions that can occur alongside substance abuse.
These various approaches can help people gain control of lasting fear after a traumatic event. At Infinity Care, you and your mental health professional discuss what type of therapy or combination of treatments best meets your needs.
Traumatic events can be challenging to come to terms with, but confronting these feelings and getting professional help is often the only way of effectively treating PTSD. Call Infinity Care to schedule an in-person or telehealth visit. Or request an appointment online today.