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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops following exposure to traumatic events involving death, serious injury, or threats to physical well-being. This exposure can occur in various ways, including:

  • Directly experiencing the traumatic event
  • Witnessing the event as it happens to others
  • Learning about a traumatic event involving a close friend or family member
  • Repeatedly hearing distressing details of such events

Individuals with PTSD often experience persistent and distressing symptoms, such as:

  • Intrusive memories: Recurrent, unwanted memories or flashbacks that make the person feel as though the trauma is happening again
  • Nightmares: Disturbing dreams related to the trauma
  • Emotional distress: Intense feelings when reminded of the trauma
  • Physical symptoms: Rapid heartbeat, sweating, or other strong physiological reactions to trauma reminders

To cope with these symptoms, individuals may engage in avoidance behaviors, steering clear of thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations tied to the trauma, as well as avoiding people, places, or objects associated with the event.

PTSD can also lead to significant changes in mood and thinking, including:

  • Inability to recall aspects of the trauma
  • Negative self-beliefs or feelings of guilt and self-blame
  • Persistent sadness, detachment, or lack of interest in activities
  • Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
  • Irritability, aggression, or impulsive behaviors
  • Hypervigilance and difficulty relaxing
  • Sleep disturbances and trouble concentrating

These symptoms can cause profound distress and interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.

Treatment for PTSD

At The Center for Emotional Health (CEH), we specialize in the most robust evidence-based trauma-focused treatments that are proven to help individuals recover from PTSD. Our therapeutic approaches include:

  • Prolonged Exposure (PE): A gradual and supportive process that helps individuals confront memories, emotions, and situations associated with the trauma, reducing their distress over time.
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): A structured treatment that focuses on processing and evaluating trauma-related thoughts, allowing clients to reframe their understanding of the event and its impact.
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): This therapy helps young clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns and beliefs related to the trauma, replacing them with healthier perspectives.

Each of these approaches involves working collaboratively with clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and sensations related to the trauma. Through these therapies, clients can decrease avoidance behaviors, build resilience, and reclaim their ability to engage fully in life.

Request Your Appointment

Take the first step toward better mental health. Whether in person or through telehealth, The Center for Emotional Health is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today with any questions and to schedule your appointment.