What Is PTSD? - Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD is a mental health condition, which is often developed after a traumatic event. PTSD is considered an anxiety disorder characterized by intense onset of fear, stress, and helplessness. PTSD can affect normal life and day to day activities.

PTSD does not affect only military personnel. Anyone can have a dramatic experience. In fact, more than 3 million cases are diagnosed in the US each year, with many more going unreported.

The primary cause of PTSD is a traumatic life event. Typical events may include:

• Sexual Abuse
• Physical Abuse
• Physical Assault
• Death of a loved one
• An Accident
• War
• Natural Disasters

It is also common to see emergency, rescue workers, and medical personnel also develop PTSD.

Each person who lives through PTSD is affected by different symptoms. Common symptoms may include:

• Reliving the event - Including flashbacks, hallucinations, nightmares
• Avoidance - Of people, places, things, or anything which might remind them of trauma
• Excessive excitement - Noticeably alert, instant or extreme anger or rage, irritability, difficulty sleeping through the night, difficulty concentrating
• Negative feelings (such as guilt), negative thoughts
• Absence of emotional response to a situation

In children they may show delay in potty training, motor skills, social interaction, or language development.

Our treatment protocol for PTSD involves psychotherapy (when agreed upon), medication, and possibly TMS. Medications may be prescribed for depression or insomnia. Medication without psychotherapy or TMS may only help manage the symptoms, so we highly encourage you to utilize our other services in your treatment protocol.

Many times the person who suffers from PTSD may become painfully aware they have PTSD through the result of an action they take. It is important to identify people who you can trust (this includes a psychiatrist - we also have female psychiatrists on our team to make you feel more comfortable). PTSD is very personal, it is not necessary you tell everyone (sometimes including family) you are going through PTSD. Those with PTSD find it comforting to talk to others who have experienced a similar traumatic event. Trusting a psychiatrist or any therapist is key to your recovery.

"Invisible Wounds" may be used as a synonym for PTSD. Invisible wounds may also refer to a traumatic brain injury, or another cognitive, emotional, or behavioral condition associated with a life event affecting an individual.

Please visit our page "invisible wounds" to learn more.