Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Counseling Questions and Answers

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is the result of a person having experienced a traumatic event or negative experience in their past which has led to mental and physical issues or concerns. The symptoms of PTSD can last for years and can be very debilitating. Over the past decade, more treatment options have developed thanks to ongoing research to help people with this life-changing and potentially life-threatening mental health condition.

Here are 10 of the most commonly observed symptoms of PTSD:

– Detachment from others
– Flashbacks
– Nightmares
– Avoiding reminders
– Insomnia
– Lack of motivation
– Anger
– Memory Loss
– Feeling jumpy
– Turning to drugs and alcohol

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, please reach out to us at Best Fit Counseling and Psychiatry to provide you the help, support and treatment you may need.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is usually triggered by either experiencing or witnessing a terrifying or traumatic event. Symptoms can be debilitating and include uncontrollable thoughts about the event. As we often see at Best Fit Counseling and Psychiatry, people who go through traumatic events understandably have difficulty adjusting and coping with day-to-day life, but with good self-care and time, they usually get better. However, sometimes symptoms can get worse and could last for months or even years. Seeking treatment after PTSD symptoms develop is crucial in controlling symptoms and improving function to be able to carry on the activities of daily life. Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop as the result of an experience where a person goes through, sees or learns about an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation.

Mental health professionals aren’t entirely sure why some people get PTSD. As with most mental health disorders, PTSD is likely caused by a complex mix of:

– Stressful experiences throughout life.
– Other family members having a history of anxiety and depression.
– Inherited aspects of one’s personality, such as temperament.
– The regulation of chemicals and hormones our body releases in response to stress, like cortisol for example, which has been dubbed the stress hormone.

Post-traumatic stress disorder can disrupt a person’s entire life, their job, their relationships, and their health. Their ability to find enjoyment in everyday activities can also be negatively affected.

Having PTSD can potentially increase the risk of other mental health problems, such as:

– Depression and anxiety
– Drug or alcohol use or dependency
– Eating disorders
– Suicidal thoughts and actions

Untreated PTSD from the experience of a traumatic event will not just magically disappear. When left undiagnosed and untreated, sufferers of PTSD are more likely to experience chronic pain, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, as well as sleep problems that impede a person’s ability to work and have positive interactions with others. PTSD does not go away on its own without some method of treatment. Symptoms can last for months or even years, or they may come and go in waves if left untreated. Effective treatment and support from friends and family can make all the difference in helping a person get their life back.

Untreated sufferers of PTSD are likely to experience severe consequences which can include the following:

– Anger management issues: For some, recurring stress and anxiety can severely affect others in their life. Outbursts of anger or rage may lead to child or spousal abuse or even violent behavior in public.

– Loneliness: PTSD can make a person very challenging to be around, and because it is often undiagnosed and untreated, those who were closest to the sufferer are now keeping their distance, leaving individuals with the disease feeling isolated and alone.

– Severe depression: Serious depression is a very real risk for someone with untreated PTSD. Uncontrollable, recurring thoughts and feelings may lead to demonstrating suicidal thoughts or actions while in the midst of a PTSD episode.

At Best Fit Counseling and Psychiatry, we are here to provide you the help, support, and treatment you may need. Contact us today through our website and set up a confidential appointment with one of our knowledgeable and caring professionals. We serve patients anywhere in Michigan and our corporate offices are in Ann Arbor MI and surrounding areas including Pittsfield Charter TWP MI, Ypsilanti MI, Saline MI, Dexter MI and Scio TWP MI.