What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a potentially serious mental health condition that can develop after you experience or witness a traumatic event. Many people feel anxious, depressed, or frightened after a traumatic experience, but their symptoms typically subside over time.
With PTSD, you may continue experiencing symptoms for months, even years, after your experience.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Most people start experiencing PTSD symptoms within one month of their traumatic event, but your symptoms may not begin until months or years after. Some of the most common signs of PTSD to watch out for after a traumatic event include:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Angry outbursts
- Insomnia
- Feeling easily startled or on edge
- Severe depression
- Irritability
- Loss of interest
- Negative thoughts
- Hopelessness
- Feeling detached
- Self-destructive behavior
If you have PTSD, you may avoid people, places, or situations that remind you of the traumatic event.
What causes PTSD?
Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as death, rape, accident, or assault, can trigger PTSD. However, not everybody gets PTSD after a traumatic incident. Your risk of having PTSD increases if you:
- Have a family history of anxiety or depression
- Struggle with drug or alcohol abuse
- Lack a support system
- Experienced abuse as a child
- Have an extremely stressful job (military, firefighter, etc.)
- Have other mental health conditions
If you have PTSD, your brain may also release chemicals and hormones in response to stress differently than those who don’t have this debilitating disorder.
What are the treatments for PTSD?
Effectively treating PTSD typically involves a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Depending on your unique case, Dr. Marquez-Floyd may recommend one or more of the following types of psychotherapy to treat PTSD:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT aims to change the way you respond to certain stressors that can trigger your PTSD symptoms. Its primary goal is to eliminate negative thoughts and behaviors that may be preventing you from recovering from PTSD.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy gradually exposes you to situations or memories that can contribute to your PTSD symptoms. With Dr. Marquez-Floyd’s guidance, you can face your fears in a safe, controlled environment.
To learn more about PTSD, call Estelita Marquez-Floyd, M.D., or schedule an appointment online now.
