Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Diagnosis and Treatment
PTSD is a mental disorder that affects veterans, first responders, and other trauma victims.
The information presented on this page is an overview of the average evaluation of post-traumatic stress disorder and is offered here as a resource. At J. Flowers Health Institute, our evaluations and treatment plans are customized and tailored to each individual’s needs. We specialize in providing a comprehensive team approach to your care. Our evaluations may include psychosocial and trauma assessments, a psychiatric evaluation, and a lifestyle assessment to identify triggers for help diagnosing your symptoms to provide the holistic care you deserve.
If you would like to learn more about J. Flowers Health Institute, please do not hesitate to reach out.
We welcome any questions you have: 713.715.1618.
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Overview of PTSD
Approximately 3.6% of adults in the United States have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In comparison, about 5% of adolescents ages thirteen to eighteen in the United States have post-traumatic stress disorder.
PTSD is a mental health diagnosis that is increasingly prevalent among youths and adults. Awareness, education, and treatment are critical to combat the lasting effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.1
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition that may develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event.
Events that are more traumatic than typical life stressors such as physical assaults, global disasters, combat, and violence can result in PTSD.
Although not everyone who lives through a traumatic event will develop this condition, about 50% of adults in the United States will experience at least one traumatic event throughout their lives.1
What Does PTSD Do to a Person?
PTSD leaves people with disturbing and intense thoughts related to their trauma. Individuals often relive the event over and over during flashbacks and intense nightmares.
Feelings of sadness, detachment, fear, and anger are common for people with PTSD. People with a diagnosis of PTSD are often triggered by touch and sudden, loud noises.2
How Common Is PTSD?
In the United States, approximately one out of every eleven people will receive a diagnosis of PTSD within their lifetime. Post-traumatic stress disorder affects people of all ages, ethnicities, cultures, genders, and nationalities.
In the U.S., women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than men. In addition, Latinos, American Indians, and African Americans are disproportionately affected by PTSD.2
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Causes and Risk Factors
There is a multitude of PTSD causes and risk factors. The following sections explore the various causes and risk factors for a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis.
What Causes PTSD?
PTSD is caused by distressing, frightening, and stressful events, as well as prolonged traumatic experiences.
Examples of PTSD-inducing events are serious accidents, sexual assault, childhood abuse, domestic violence, serious health problems, physical assault, childbirth trauma, war, torture, and conflict.
Although it’s not fully understood, some people develop PTSD while others who have gone through a similar event do not. We all process information and events differently, and trauma-responses may manifest in varying ways.3
PTSD Risk Factors
Individuals with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety are more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event. Limited familial support and genetics are also thought to play a role in its development.
For instance, if a person has a parent with a mental health diagnosis, they would be more likely to develop PTSD following a traumatic occurrence.3
Diagnosis and Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The following sections will describe post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and how it is diagnosed.
PTSD symptoms fall into four main categories, intrusion, avoidance, arousal and reactivity, and cognition and mood.
Intrusion Symptoms
Intrusion-related symptoms are repetitive, involuntary memories, flashbacks, and distressing dreams. When a person experiences a flashback, it can be so vivid that they feel as though they are reliving the trauma.
Avoidance Symptoms
The avoidance category of PTSD symptoms involves staying away from people, places, and things that remind a person of the traumatic event. Avoidance is a protective mechanism to minimize triggers.
Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms
Changes in reactivity and arousal are the third main group of PTSD symptoms. These symptoms include irritability, outbursts of anger, reckless behavior, and self-destructive actions.
For example, when a person becomes overly watchful of their surroundings, easily startled, or struggles to get a good night’s sleep, they could be struggling with arousal and reactivity symptoms.
Cognition and Mood Symptoms
PTSD symptoms can look like distorted internal beliefs, inability to remember details of the trauma, blaming oneself for the event or trauma, and persistent negative feelings.
Negative feelings can include guilt, shame, horror, fear, loss of interest in activities, feeling detached, and inability to feel positive emotions.
How Is PTSD Diagnosed?
Generally, people who have displayed symptoms of PTSD for more than one month and meet the criteria for a diagnosis will be offered PTSD treatment.4
Generally, people who have displayed symptoms of PTSD for more than one month and meet the criteria for a diagnosis will be offered PTSD treatment.4
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment
PTSD treatment typically involves psychological therapies and medication management. The following sections will provide more information about these two interventions.4
Medications
Medication for PTSD treatment can involve antidepressants such as paroxetine and sertraline. To receive appropriate medication management, individuals need to consult with a psychiatric mental health specialist.
In addition, if someone is considering medications for post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, they should ask their prescriber about possible side effects and withdrawal symptoms.
Psychotherapy
Psychological therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and peer support, are the three primary forms used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
Begin Healing at J. Flowers Health Institute
J. Flowers Health Institute empowers clients with a holistic wellness approach throughout their healing journey. Innovative technologies, cutting-edge diagnostics, and top-notch providers come together to support clients and meet them where they are in their recovery process.
PTSD Treatment Program
For whole-person recovery, our team of experts will offer comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and curated programs based on an individual’s unique needs and circumstances.
Knowledgeable providers and staff support each client with PTSD treatment plans, motivation, understanding, and compassion. J. Flowers Health Institute’s multidisciplinary team is uniquely positioned to provide advanced treatment for PTSD.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about the treatment services and care available at J. Flowers Health Institute, reach out to our team today. You do not have to go through the recovery process alone.
Our staff at J. Flowers Health Institute will help you achieve long-term healing and know a life of peace once again. Contact us today to learn more about our programs for PTSD and other mental health challenges.
Resources
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd#:~:text=Prevalence%20of%20Post%2DTraumatic%20Stress%20Disorder%20Among%20Adults,-Based%20on%20diagnostic&text=An%20estimated%203.6%25%20of%20U.S.,than%20for%20males%20(1.8%25).
- https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd#:~:text=People%20with%20PTSD%20have%20intense,or%20estranged%20from%20other%20people.
- https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/causes/
- https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/treatment/
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