PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that shows up in around one-third of people who have lived through a traumatic event. At Integral Therapy and Counseling in Highland Park, New Jersey, the team provides individualized one-on-one counseling that you can access in person or with telemedicine. To schedule your evaluation and treatment consultation for PTSD, call Integral Therapy and Counseling or book an appointment online today.
PTSD Q&A:
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a unique mental health condition that develops in response to a traumatic event or circumstance in your past. Living through or witnessing frightening or distressing events in your life can have a lasting impact on your mental health. Counseling for PTSD can help you cope with the lingering feelings that come from your trauma and reduce their impact on your health and wellness.
What contributes to PTSD?
Many experiences can lead you to develop PTSD. Whether you experienced something traumatic directly or were a witness or bystander, trauma can cause an overproduction of stress hormones and create observable changes in your brain. You can develop PTSD after:
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Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
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Serious accidents
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Natural disasters
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Military combat
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Death of a loved one
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Torture
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Severe health problems
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Childbirth complications
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Assaults or attacks
Your provider at Integral Therapy and Counseling can you analyze your trauma and identify the event that caused your PTSD.
What are the most common symptoms of PTSD? Symptoms of PTSD tend to differ among people who meet the criteria the diagnosis and can fluctuate over time. You might experience:
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Intrusive thoughts
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Flashbacks
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Distressing dreams or nightmares
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Avoiding reminders of the event
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Negative thoughts about yourself
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Increased reactivity or outbursts
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Sleep problems
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Concentration issues
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Impulsive behaviors
You might experience some of these symptoms as early as a few days after the traumatic event while other symptoms can show up later. To meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, the symptoms must affect you for at least one month and cause significant distress.
How can I manage my PTSD?
Integral Therapy and Counseling offers professional treatment for PTSD including talk therapy:Talk therapy-Therapeutic utilizing techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy can help you change your thought patterns and cope with PTSD symptoms. Some people with PTSD benefit from taking medications to improve symptoms, such as antidepressants or short-term anti-anxiety medications. If you’re interested in learning more about managing PTSD, call Integral Therapy and Counseling or schedule an appointment online today.