Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects seven out of 100 veterans and nearly as many children, teens, and adults after they experience traumatic events other than combat. Seeking treatment from the caring mental health professionals at Sunshine Psychiatry can help you cope with your fears and overcome the ongoing emotional effects of trauma. You don’t need to live a life filled with anxiety, flashbacks, and avoiding the places that remind you of your trauma. Call the office in Fort Myers, Florida, or schedule an in-person or telepsychiatry appointment online to get exceptional treatment for PTSD.
PTSD occurs when you experience or witness a threatening or traumatic event. The severe trauma buries memories in your subconscious instead of dealing with them, leaving you with long-lasting symptoms.
The traumatic events that most often cause PTSD include:
You can develop PTSD after one trauma or many events. For example, growing up with emotional abuse or exposure to bullying in any environment can cause PTSD.
Everyone struggles with fear, anxiety, and anger after a traumatic event. If your feelings last longer than a month or worsen, there’s a good chance you have PTSD.
PTSD causes the following symptoms:
Avoidance means that you stay away from the people, places, or activities that remind you of the traumatic event.
The Sunshine Psychiatry team specializes in evaluating your symptoms, diagnosing PTSD, and providing treatment that frees you from the trauma and the deep-rooted, unconscious fears and memories triggering your PTSD.
Your provider may prescribe medications to relieve symptoms like anxiety, agitation, anger, and sleep problems. But medications can’t help you deal with the trauma or face the memories. That’s why your treatment also includes therapy.
The Sunshine Psychiatry therapists have extensive training and experience using several therapies proven to help PTSD. These are a few examples of therapies they may recommend:
TF-CBT treats children and adolescents with PTSD caused by early trauma, such as sexual or physical abuse, grief, and violence.
This approach focuses on identifying and changing the painful emotions and negative beliefs caused by trauma. Gaining a new understanding of the event reduces its impact on your emotions.
PE helps you confront your trauma-related fears in a supportive and controlled environment. Facing your fears instead of avoiding them eases your symptoms.
Call Sunshine Psychiatry today or connect online to request an in-person or telepsychiatry appointment for PTSD treatment.