Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

If you regularly experience fear or panic after a traumatic event, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms of PTSD can be overwhelming, causing you to feel uncertain about the state of your mental health and physical well-being.

At Thriving Center of Psychology in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, our experienced mental health professionals know how overpowering PTSD can be. We provide tailored therapy plans that help you manage your PTSD and take your life back.

Understanding PTSD

PTSD typically surfaces after you witness or experience a traumatic event. Military personnel, particularly those who serve during combat, often develop PTSD in the months and years after they serve.

PTSD may also result from:

• Auto accidents
• Natural disasters
• Death of a loved one
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Violence
• Robbery or home invasion

PTSD Warning Signs

PTSD symptoms may not appear right after a traumatic experience. Instead, changes in thought patterns, habits, and behaviors might take weeks, months, or years to develop.

Sufferers who don’t get treatment for PTSD might see their symptoms steadily get worse over time. Exposure to specific triggers or experiencing flashbacks of the actual event can exacerbate the adverse effects of PTSD.

PTSD symptoms may include any or all of the following:

• Depression or anxiety
• Recurrent nightmares
• Feelings of detachment
• Disinterest in hobbies
• Neglecting one’s usual routine
• Isolation
• Running thoughts
• Being easily startled
• Feeling jittery

Without treatment, these symptoms may increasingly disrupt your relationships, interfere with job functioning, and diminish your quality of life. You could also be at risk for self-medication with drugs or alcohol, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.

If you notice any changes in your thoughts or behaviors after a traumatic event, you should schedule a PTSD evaluation with Thriving Center of Psychology as soon as possible. With early intervention, you can get diagnosed and treated before you are at risk for suicide or self-harm.

Options for Managing PTSD

Therapy can help you keep your PTSD under control, despite how overwhelming the symptoms seem to be. Your Thriving Center of Psychology practitioner will create a personalized treatment plan that could include one or more of the following therapies:

• Life coaching
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET)
• Psychotherapy
• Neurofeedback
• Prolonged exposure therapy

As a result of your treatment plan, you’ll figure out what prompts your unhealthy thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You’ll also acquire strategies for reducing your anxiety when you confront your PTSD triggers. With your provider’s help, you’ll be able to restore your self-confidence and maintain better control of your behaviors and thoughts.

We offer online video TeleTherapy for clients who aren’t able to visit the office in person. TeleTherapy allows you to meet one-on-one with your psychologist or therapist whenever you need help and support.

If PTSD keeps you isolated from others or causes you anxiety and fear, Thriving Center of Psychology can help. To learn more about PTSD treatment, schedule an evaluation today over the phone or use the online scheduling tool.