PTSD Treatment

Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is a specific type of mental disorder or anxiety disorder. PTSD affects many people: Approximately 7 percent to 8 percent of the population in the United States will experience PTSD. About 5 million cases of PTSD occur each year in this country.

 

PTSD develops when a person experiences something very traumatic or witnesses something very traumatic happening to someone else.

 

Symptoms of PTSD may be recurrent and can be either frequent or very sporadic. PTSD symptoms will generally appear within three months of experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, though in some cases it can take years for symptoms to appear.

 

Once symptoms appear, PTSD will rarely go away on its own. Treatment of PTSD is generally required for recovery. In some cases, PTSD symptoms can impact a person's life significantly and make it impossible for them to do everyday activities.

 

Many people will experience sadness, nightmares and crying after witnessing something traumatic. This is normal and does not indicate PTSD. However, feelings like this that last for more than a month and make it difficult to get back to everyday life can indicate PTSD.

 

Treatment for PTSD is similar to many anxiety disorders' treatment. Medication(s) and therapy are often the most helpful in treating PTSD. Getting treatment as soon as possible can ensure that PTSD is addressed correctly before symptoms worsen. Treatment for PTSD helps people get a sense of control back in their own lives.

 

Medications and therapy can also help with other symptoms that can occur as a result of PTSD, such as depression, anxiety and other types of disorders. In many cases, medications and therapy will be used in conjunction with one another to treat PTSD.

PTSD medications will vary depending on a person's particular situation and the symptoms being experienced. Most often, PTSD sufferers will either be given an anti-depression medication or an anti-anxiety medication.

 

Medications can help with sleep patterns as well. While some medications may create unwanted side effects, generally a doctor can find a medication that will help with symptoms without creating new ones, though medications may need to be changed a few times to find the one that's best for a particular patient.

Like medications, types of therapy for PTSD will depend on the particular symptoms a person is experiencing, what triggered PTSD and the preferences of the patient. Common types of psychotherapy for PTSD include:

Stress management and coping skills can also be gained from therapy for PTSD.

 

Some doctors may also recommend less traditional types of therapy, such as music therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Support groups may also be effective treatment for PTSD sufferers. Those who suffer from PTSD can look online and get information from hospitals or doctors on how to join support groups.

While there are a number of treatments in existence for PTSD and other anxiety disorders, medication and therapy are currently the only medically recognized forms of treatment. Anything else may be ineffective or could even cause more harm to a PTSD sufferer.

Handling PTSD on your own is not recommended, as self-diagnosis and any type of self-treatment without consulting a doctor can be harmful.