What are the symptoms of PTSD?
- Intrusive thoughts (repeated, involuntary memories; distressing dreams; or flashbacks of the traumatic event). Flashbacks may be so vivid that people feel they are re-living the traumatic experience.
- Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event including avoiding people, places, activities, objects and situations that bring on distressing memories. People may try to avoid remembering or thinking about the traumatic event and may resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it.
- Negative thoughts and feelings may include ongoing and distorted beliefs about oneself or others (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted”); ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt or shame; much less interest in activities previously enjoyed; or feeling detached or estranged from others.
- Arousal and reactive symptoms including being irritable and/or having angry outbursts; behaving recklessly or in a self-destructive way; being easily startled; or having problems concentrating or sleeping.
PTSD symptoms last more than a month and often persist for several months or years. Acute Stress Disorder has symptoms similar to PTSD but they don’t last longer than a month.
What is the treatment for PTSD?
After conducting a thorough evaluation Dr. Sidhu can recommend medication treatment that best suits your needs.
Some antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and selective norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors) are commonly used to treat the core symptoms of PTSD.
Dr. Sidhu may also suggest seeking psychotherapy (specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT, Stress Inoculation Therapy or Prolonged Exposure Therapy) in addition to medication treatment. Often, the best treatment for PTSD involves medication support as well as psychotherapy with a therapist specifically trained in trauma based therapy. PTSD symptoms can be extremely distressing. However, with professional help it is possible to overcome PTSD and live a normal, healthy and happy life.
To get treatment for PTSD and not let your traumatic experience control you schedule an evaluation at Revîv Functional Psychiatry & TMS Wellness Center. Book online or over the phone.
