Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is a serious mental illness that necessitates treatment.
Patients may experience PTSD symptoms for years without receiving treatment. The more harm PTSD can do to a patient’s life, the longer it is left untreated. The caring staff of behavioral health specialists at Open Arms Life Center has experience treating PTSD patients to help them feel safe and heal from trauma.
Trauma is an emotional response to experiencing or witnessing a seriously upsetting event. Patients with PTSD may have gone through one or more traumatic events.
There are numerous types of trauma, including:
- Bullying
- Community Violence
- Complex Trauma
- Disasters
- Early Childhood Trauma
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Medical Trauma
- Physical Abuse
PTSD Risk Factors
- Added stress: Managing additional stress, such as dealing with a job loss or divorce,
- After your trauma, your risk is increased
- Age at trauma: Those who experienced trauma as children are more likely to experience PTSD than others.
- Trauma frequency: enduring a continuous trauma or multiple PTSD risk is increased by traumas.
- Gender: PTSD is more common in women than in men.
- Health: Having a mental illness or another illness increases the risk the odds of developing PTSD
- Substance abuse: A history of drug or alcohol abuse increases the likelihood of the odds of developing PTSD
- Support: Lack of support following the event
PTSD Symptom Types
- Re-experiencing symptoms: Something makes you recall your previous symptoms.
- Trauma makes you fearful. Sweating and difficulty could set in
breathing, a rapid heartbeat, nightmares, flashbacks, and overwhelming
and unsettling thoughts. - Avoidance symptoms. You avoid specific individuals, situations, or locations.
that bring back painful memories. You might feel detached or hopeless. By keeping busy, you can actively avoid thinking about the trauma. - Hyperarousal symptoms. You may experience hyperarousal symptoms such as excessive worry or anxiety.
- Imminent risk. You consider the trauma regularly. You become jittery, struggle to sleep and concentrate, and , and are more prone to yelling or becoming alarmed.
- Cognition and mood symptoms: You could experience negative thoughts, beliefs, and emotions, including self-blame and guilt talk, and failure
How Is PTSD Diagnosed?
The mental health team at Open Arms Life Center makes use of mental health screenings, physical examinations, and additional diagnostic instruments to identify PTSD Our objective is to offer you accurate, compassionate care that will aid in your recovery.
Contact Open Arms Life Center’s appointment line at 480-454-4939.
Only a healthcare provider experienced with mental illnesses can diagnose PTSD.
Support for PTSD
PTSD can only be identified by a healthcare professional with knowledge of mental illnesses.
The first step on your road to recovery is to discuss what you’re going through with a medical professional, a mental health care provider, or close family members. The behavioral health professionals at Open Arms Life Center are available to assist you or a member of your family if you need assistance with a mental health issue. We’re here to give patients and their families the support they need to cope with their symptoms.
Let us know about your psychiatric-related inquiries. Please send us a message to get started.