Post traumatic stress disorder is better known as PTSD, and can develop in individuals who have gone through a sudden, frightening, or life-threatening event that leaves a lasting impact. It can affect those who directly experience or witness such events. Research has shown that about 60% of men and 50% of women will experience at least one trauma in their life. Common indicators of PTSD include flashbacks, disturbing dreams, heightened anxiety, and persistent, unwanted thoughts related to the trauma.
Understanding PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological condition that may arise after experiencing a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD might not appear immediately, sometimes surfacing long after the incident. For instance, a soldier might not show signs of PTSD until months after returning from deployment, or a survivor of sexual assault might not develop symptoms until a year after the event.
Each case of PTSD is unique because individuals process trauma differently. What triggers PTSD in one person may not affect another in the same way. It’s crucial to recognize that PTSD can be a chronic condition, potentially lasting a lifetime if not treated.
Recognizing Complex PTSD Symptoms
PTSD can manifest from one month to several years following a traumatic event. Symptoms can be so severe that they disrupt daily life, affecting both personal and professional relationships.
PTSD symptoms generally fall into four categories:
- Intrusive Memories: These include recurrent, unwanted memories of the event, flashbacks, distressing dreams, and intense emotional or physical reactions when reminded of the trauma.
- Avoidance: This involves actively steering clear of thoughts, discussions, places, or people that bring back memories of the traumatic event.
- Negative Thoughts and Behaviors: These symptoms might include persistent sadness, memory problems, difficulty maintaining relationships, feelings of detachment, loss of interest in enjoyable activities, and emotional numbness.
- Altered Physical and Emotional Reactions: These can present as being easily startled, feeling paranoid, engaging in risky behaviors, having difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating, irritability, aggression, and overwhelming feelings of guilt or shame.
These symptoms can worsen over time, especially when triggered by stress or specific reminders of the trauma. If someone finds it challenging to manage their symptoms, it’s a strong indication that they should seek professional help for PTSD.
Treatment for PTSD Symptoms
Inpatient treatment, also known as residential care, offers a structured environment where individuals with PTSD can receive intensive care. This type of treatment is particularly beneficial because it provides a safe and controlled setting, free from the triggers and stressors that might exacerbate symptoms. Clients diagnosed with PTSD can stay in a comfortable facility throughout their treatment, allowing them to focus solely on recovery.
At Alter, we employ trauma-informed therapeutic approaches designed to address PTSD at its root. The inpatient programs utilize various treatment methods, including:
- Medication management
- Individual therapy sessions
- Group therapy and social integration
- Family counseling
- Experiential therapies
- Skill-building activities
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Exposure therapy
Each individual’s experience in residential treatment is unique, with the specific therapies and activities tailored to their clinical diagnosis. Most residential treatment programs last between 30 to 45 days, after which clients typically transition to an intensive outpatient program or partial hospitalization program for continued care.
Ongoing PTSD Treatment
Once initial inpatient PTSD treatment is completed, many individuals with the condition require ongoing outpatient treatment. This can come in the form of intensive outpatient treatment or partial hospitalization programs.
The purpose of these programs is to provide additional support for PTSD survivors who are ready to begin integrating back into their community and routine. Typically, clients will attend outpatient therapy and programming during the week for 6-8 hours a day. Instead of living in the treatment center, they are able to live at home or in accommodations of their choosing. They will continue to learn coping mechanisms while being able to put them to the test in real life applications.
Find PTSD Treatment Near You
Early intervention makes a huge difference when it comes to PTSD treatment. Seeking treatment for PTSD can happen as soon as a month after the condition manifests or even a decade after the symptoms first appear. It’s never too late to seek help and make a change. No one should have to endure the lingering effects of past traumas, and at Alter Behavioral Health, we’re committed to helping everyone achieve a happy, healthy life.
Starting with inpatient programs and transitioning to outpatient care is the best approach for treating PTSD. If you or someone you care about is struggling with trauma, contact our admissions team to explore the options available. We’ll even verify your insurance coverage for you so you know exactly what they will cover before you enter treatment.
About Alter
Alter is a behavioral healthcare provider that specializes in evidence-based clinical treatment approaches. We provide a wide range of programs for adults and families experiencing mental health conditions including schizophrenia, depression, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, and more. This is done through client-centered care for a full-continuum of treatment. We serve the entire U.S. population from our revolutionary locations throughout sunny Southern California. Whether an individual needs 24/7 care or wants an outpatient program – we are there to guide every step of the journey. For more information, give us a call at (877) 613-9776 or visit our website at alterbehavioralhealth.com.
