Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of debilitating mental health disorder. It occurs when a person experiences significant trauma in their life, and the brain does not process that experience properly. Years later, it may continue to create mental health risks. At Sierra Sage Recovery Services, we offer comprehensive help to those who need it. If you believe your loved one struggles with this condition, reach out to us immediately for help.
How Does PTSD Form?
PTSD occurs when someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. They may have experienced some physical, mental, or sexual abuse. Other times, it is due to severe emotional stress, such as watching a loved one die or dealing with a wartime experience.
A traumatic event will create a temporary period of difficulty as a person learns to adjust and cope with most people’s conditions. Most often, with good attention to their mental health needs, the pain or trauma fades. For people with PTSD, that does not happen. The symptoms can continue, though they are often less severe, over time. Sometimes, a person may have nightmares or flashbacks from that event. They may develop severe anxiety as a result of the condition as well.
Signs a Loved One Could Have PTSD
There are numerous symptoms of PTSD because it is very specific to the person’s unique experiences. The most common include intrusive memories. They may talk to you about unwanted and recurrent distressing memories of the event, or they may feel as though they are reliving it. Other times, people avoid situations that make them think about the event, including talking about it or going near places where the event took place.
Other symptoms of PTSD include:
- Feeling emotionally worn or not feeling anything at all
- Having negative thoughts about themselves or the world in general
- Feelings of hopelessness about the future
- Detaching from family and friends, preferring isolation
- Lacking interest in things that a person once enjoyed
There is also the likelihood of physical and emotional reactions to these experiences. For example, some people struggle with sleeping or concentrating. Others are startled or frightened often. They may also engage in self-destructive behavior such as alcohol or drug use. Angry outbursts and behavioral problems are also common. Some people may also have intense guilt or shame.
What Can Trauma Therapy for PTSD Do?
For those who are experiencing symptoms like this, trauma care is available. This type of care focuses on helping to break the past event’s memory from creating an impact on current situations. The goal of trauma therapy is never to encourage a person to go through what they did once. There is no benefit in reliving that experience. Yet, it is designed to help them to overcome the challenges they face.
For those who are using drugs and alcohol to cope with PTSD, a treatment called dual diagnosis can help. It aims to treat both the underlying PTSD as well as the addiction that commonly forms.
At Sierra Sage Recovery Services, we offer a range of treatments that can help. Some of our trauma care services may include:
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient treatment program
- Outpatient treatment program
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
The first step is getting help. For that reason, it is best to reach out for immediate support for your loved one.
Find the Support Needed at Sierra Sage Recovery Services
PTSD is not something your loved one has to live with long term. There are effective options available for trauma therapy that can change the course of a person’s life. We can help. To learn more about the treatment options we offer, call Sierra Sage Recovery Services at 833.922.2884 or connect with us online today.
