RONALD LEE MD PSYCHIATRIST FOR ALL MA RESIDENTS
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often linked to war veterans. However, this psychological condition is not exclusive to them. This mental illness can affect anyone who has encountered a severe stressor or has been through a traumatic experience.
An experienced trauma psychiatrist can employ several treatment methods to help people cope with PTSD and its debilitating symptoms.
The trigger of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a single terrifying event or a combination of many traumatic experiences. It could be:
The combination of signs and symptoms of PTSD varies in each individual. The severity can also fluctuate over time.
What may induce a mild reaction one day may result in a severe reaction the next. This unpredictability has adverse effects on the daily life of people with PTSD. In general, the manifestations are:
There are no specific diagnostic tests for PTSD. A mental health expert like a trauma psychiatrist is the best person to consult for a proper evaluation of the following:
Experiencing any of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder signals the need for mental help, especially if they disrupt daily living activities. Most importantly, it is time to seek professional help when your thoughts and emotional responses, e.g., bouts of anger and thoughts of self-harm, become hard to control.
Your therapist will prescribe a treatment plan for you that may include one or a combination of the following:
This approach helps you recall the traumatic experience and express the emotions associated with it. Reliving the event may seem frightening, but a guided revisit with a mental health professional may help through desensitization.
As a result, you feel less "traumatized," and you experience less of the signs and symptoms. CBT can also help in identifying healthy coping techniques for triggers.
Your doctor can prescribe anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, or sleeping pills to help you cope with PTSD symptoms. Note that you should only take what is prescribed, in the dose, amount, and route prescribed.
Self-medication can create imbalances in your hormones. Some drugs negatively interact with others and with alcohol, leading to a fatal outcome.
Like CBT, a support group provides a safe, comfortable atmosphere that allows you to revisit a past traumatic experience. You'll be among individuals who are also facing the ramifications of traumatic events, making the condition appear more manageable.
Therapy and medication are proven and effective techniques that help people with PTSD cope with their symptoms.
A licensed and trained mental health provider can assist you through the healing process. Allow our team at Luminous Vitality Behavioral Health to assist you in your journey towards recovery. Give us a call today to book an appointment!
