An estimated one out of every 11 people in the United States receives a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis at some point during their life. PTSD is a serious mental health condition that affects how you feel, think, and behave, and no single treatment works for all. At Integrated Premier Group Specialty in Tempe, Arizona, the team offers in-person and mobile appointments to treat PTSD. For compassionate care, call the office or book an appointment online today.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic, life-threatening event.
It’s not uncommon to feel anxious and upset after a traumatic experience. However, with good self-care and support, these feelings of anxiety and unease improve over time.
With PTSD, your symptoms of anxiety and unease worsen over time, causing intense thoughts and feelings related to the traumatic event that interfere with your daily life. Your symptoms may be so severe it affects your ability to work or socialize.
You don’t always have to go through a traumatic event to develop PTSD. You may develop PTSD after someone close to you experiences something dangerous or harmful. The mental health condition may also occur in people after the unexpected death of a loved one.
Symptoms of PTSD fall into four categories. For a PTSD diagnosis, you must experience one or more symptoms from each category.
With intrusive thoughts, you have ongoing flashbacks, nightmares, or unwanted thoughts related to the traumatic event.
Avoidance symptoms include avoiding people, places, or activities that remind you of the traumatic event.
With PTSD, you may not be able to remember key details about that traumatic event (alterations in cognition). Additionally, you may have negative thoughts and feelings that affect your mood and behavior.
People with PTSD may be quick to anger or behave in reckless, self-destructive ways.
Your provider conducts a comprehensive evaluation when you visit Integrated Premier Group Specialty with concerns about PTSD. During your exam, your clinician asks detailed questions about your symptoms and the event that triggered them.
They also review your medical and mental health history and your family history.
Your provider can begin formulating a treatment plan for PTSD after completing the evaluation.
PTSD affects everyone differently, and no single treatment works for all. Your Integrated Premier Group Specialty provider develops individualized treatment plans for PTSD based on the severity of symptoms, mental health and medical history, and personal preferences.
Your treatment may include:
Adopting healthy habits can improve your mood and mental health. Eat healthy foods, get regular exercise, avoid smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use, get plenty of sleep, and keep your stress levels low.
Taking certain medications can reduce PTSD symptoms and give you a better quality of life.
There are many types of counseling, or psychotherapy, that can benefit people living with PTSD. The Integrated Premier Group Specialty team uses various tools and methods to help their patients, even those with severe symptoms, get relief from PTSD. Your provider can counsel you in-office, at your home, or virtually depending on your needs and preferences.
If you’re interested in seeking treatment for PTSD, call Integrated Premier Group Specialty, or book an appointment online today.
