PTSD
Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatry & Perinatal Specialist located in Cherry Hill , NJ
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing a traumatic or life-threatening event. Between 7-8% of Americans develop PTSD at some point. Clarity Psychiatry Care in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, skilled Child, Adolescent, And Adult Psychiatry specialists Dr. Amy Carnall, DNP, APN, PMHMP-BC, and Christina Sertway, APN, PMHNP-BC diagnose PTSD and offer integrative, holistic, and personalized treatment to relieve symptoms and restore quality of life. Call the office to schedule a consultation for PTSD, or request one online today.
PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that develops after you live through a terrifying event such as a personal assault, combat, or an active shooter situation. It causes various symptoms that disrupt your life and health.
While feeling fearful, anxious, or stressed after a traumatic event is expected, those feelings usually subside with time. PTSD, on the other hand, becomes more severe and disruptive when left untreated.
PTSD causes four distinct types of symptoms that range in severity.
Nightmares and flashbacks are two well-known types of PTSD-related intrusive thoughts. With PTSD, memories are often so vivid that people feel like they are reliving the event. Intrusive thoughts are involuntary, distressing, and repetitive.
PTSD may cause you to avoid places, people, and situations that trigger intrusive thoughts and memories. For example, if you were involved in a violent automobile collision, you might go out of your way to avoid the location.
Over time, avoidance behaviors can severely limit the quality of life. You might start withdrawing from family or friends, school, work, or develop other problems due to avoidance tactics.
PTSD can also cause ongoing distorted thoughts or beliefs about yourself or others. You might develop a distrust of other people, feel like they're evil or a threat, or feel guilty about surviving.
You might experience persistent fear, anger, or horror. Some patients become detached from themselves and others, withdrawing from loved ones or losing interest in previously enjoyed activities.
PTSD can also increase your temper, making you irritable and prone to outbursts. You might be easily startled, have problems concentrating or sleeping, or behave recklessly.
Clarity Psychiatry Care provides customized treatment plans for PTSD, combining integrative and holistic therapeutic modalities to relieve symptoms, restore your health, and improve your quality of life.
The team may combine medication, therapy, and lifestyle modifications in your treatment plan. While medication helps regulate brain chemistry and relieve symptoms, you can focus your energy on exploring thoughts, feelings, and memories in therapy. You'll also learn coping techniques in counseling.
Clarity Psychiatry Care may also recommend lifestyle modifications to enhance overall health during treatment for PTSD. Exercising daily, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can help you feel better and more equipped to recover from PTSD.
Call Clarity Psychiatry Care to schedule an appointment or book online today.