Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health condition that is brought on by either experiencing or witnessing a greatly upsetting or terrifying situation (or repeated instances of said event). It can affect individuals of all ages and greatly affect your everyday life.

Some experiences that are commonly linked to the development of PTSD include:

• Kidnappings
• Life-threatening medical events or diagnoses
• Muggings and robberies
• Natural disasters
• Physical abuse and assault
• Plane crashes
• Sexual abuse and assault
• Traumatic accidents
• War and combat experiences

PTSD symptoms

You may develop PTSD within a month of experiencing a traumatic or life-threatening event, although it’s also possible for the condition to develop years later.

There are four main categories of PTSD symptoms, which can occur randomly or be triggered by certain reminders of the traumatic event you experienced:

Re-experiencing symptoms

• Flashbacks to or nightmares of the traumatic event(s)
• Recurrent memories of the traumatic event(s)
• Severe distress or reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event(s)

Avoidance symptoms

• Avoiding people, places or things that remind you of the traumatic event(s)
• Avoiding talking or thinking about the traumatic event(s)

Arousal and reactivity symptoms

• Being easily frightened or startled
• Being irritable or having outbursts of anger or aggression
• Constantly being on guard
• Feeling overwhelming shame or guilt
• Having trouble concentrating or sleeping
• Participating in self-destructive behavior, like dangerous driving or substance abuse

Cognition and mood symptoms

• Experiencing a lack of interest in your normal hobbies
• Experiencing memory problems
• Feeling detached from loved ones
• Feeling emotionally numb and/or finding it hard to be positive
• Feeling hopeless
• Having difficulty maintaining relationships
• Having negative thoughts about the world and/or yourself

Without treatment and mental health support, these symptoms can greatly impact your social and professional life. For some individuals, they can also lead to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse and/or suicidal thoughts/behaviors.

When to go to the hospital

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are not uncommon among individuals with PTSD.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or have a plan to end your life, you should go to your closest emergency room for care.

PTSD treatment

There are two main treatments available for PTSD:

• Psychotherapy, which involves speaking to a mental health professional
• Medications, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs

Your specific care plan will depend on your symptoms and treatment history.

Personalized PTSD care at LVHN

At LVHN, our behavioral health team takes an individualized approach to treating PTSD, focusing on your symptoms and medical history to develop a treatment plan specific to you.

We offer outpatient care at various locations (with options for both in-person and virtual appointments), inpatient behavioral health services, and partial hospitalization programs, which allow you to receive daily, in-person mental health support in a clinical setting (but return home afterward).

If you are facing PTSD and are looking for a supportive and experienced care team, LVHN is here for you, every step of the way.