Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur in individuals who have witnessed or lived through a traumatic or emotional event.

Such an event can include combat, physical assault, sexual assault, death, a life-threatening accident, natural disaster, or medical diagnosis. PTSD is not the only condition that might occur after a traumatic event and an assessment is required for diagnosis.

  • Symptoms of PTSD take several forms and are not always immediately noticeable after an event. Symptoms of PTSD can include:

    • Reexperiencing

      • intrusive nightmares, memories, thoughts, or physiological reactions to certain cues

    • Avoidance

      • efforts to avoid internal and external reminders of the traumatic event

    • Alterations in cognition and mood

      • negative beliefs about self and others, negative emotional states

    • Increased arousal and reactivity

      • such as hypervigilance, irritability, sleep difficulties

  • PTSD can be treated using many approaches so don’t feel like you are out of options. Treatments of PTSD can include:

    • Cognitive processing therapy

    • Prolonged exposure therapy

    • Skills training