Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Symptoms and Treatment

Many people who experience a shocking, terrifying or life-threatening event struggle to cope at first, but most gradually feel better as time goes on. For some people, however, the troubling thoughts and feelings do not go away and may even intensify over time. If the lingering effects of a traumatic event are interfering with your life, you may have PTSD, a mental illness that requires thoughtful, comprehensive psychiatric care.

Our board-certified primary care providers can refer you for services at Beaufort Memorial Sea Island Psychiatry. Find a provider accepting new patients.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health condition that can occur after experiencing, witnessing or learning of a traumatic event. PTSD causes distressing thoughts and feelings that persist long after the event.

Anyone, of any age, can develop PTSD. Some common causes include:

• Disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes
• Domestic or intimate partner violence
• Exposure to warfare or acts of terrorism
• Fearing for others, such as a loved one who may be in danger
• Intense stress, such as the death of a loved one or being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness
• Personal physical assault
• Serious, unexpected incidents, such as car wrecks or airplane crashes
• Sexual assault or abuse
• Witnessing violence, such as a seeing someone hurt or killed

Signs of PTSD

PTSD symptoms can appear immediately after the traumatic event or surface months or years later. They may include:

• Intrusive memories — PTSD may cause mental images, vivid flashbacks, and dreams or nightmares that can feel as if the traumatic event is happening over and over again.
• Trigger avoidance — People with PTSD may not want to think or talk about their past. They may avoid reminders, such as people, places, objects and situations, that lead to traumatic memories.
• Intense physical and emotional reactions — People with PTSD may constantly feel tense and on guard. They may be easily startled, have angry outbursts, trouble sleeping or difficulty concentrating.
• Negative moods — PTSD can cause downcast and distorted thoughts and feelings about oneself and other people. Those thoughts and feelings can include deep guilt or shame, emotional numbness, hopelessness, distrust, detachment, and inability to enjoy life.

PTSD Treatments

Because physical and mental health go hand-in-hand, Beaufort Memorial Sea Island Psychiatry takes a uniquely integrated, mind-body approach to treating PTSD.

The process begins with a thorough medical evaluation of each patient’s overall health status. It’s not uncommon to see medical issues, such as diabetes, heart disease and gastrointestinal disorders, in people with mental health issues. If needed, the providers at Beaufort Memorial Sea Island Psychiatry will communicate with primary care providers and specialists about these chronic conditions to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care.

After arriving at an appropriate diagnosis of PTSD, a psychiatrist will develop a personalized treatment plan. Treatment may include medication, lifestyle changes, therapy sessions and family support strategies. In addition, patients are guided to available community resources for additional support.

PTSD responds particularly well to supportive care, counseling and group therapy. Our psychiatrists work with individual patients to connect them with the following services:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a trauma-focused form of talk therapy that concentrates on learning specific skills to manage PTSD symptoms. CBT sessions focus on recognizing and changing the negative thought patterns associated with PTSD. By changing thoughts about traumatic events, PTSD patients can overcome the overwhelming feelings as well.
• Exposure therapy, a type of CBT, helps patients modify reactions to PTSD triggers by gradually and safely exposing them to traumatic memories. Over time, confronting bad memories helps patients become less sensitive to PTSD triggers.
• Support groups offer PTSD patients the chance to share thoughts and feelings with others who have been through similar traumatic experiences.

24/7 Crisis Support

PTSD can put people at higher risk of suicide. If you or someone you care about needs support now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. You may also call or text 988 or chat online with 988Lifeline.org to connect with compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress.