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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a challenging mental health condition that can affect people of all ages and walks of life after they experience or witness a traumatic event. The exceptional team at Magnolia Medical Group has helped many people overcome PTSD and leave their symptoms behind, even when their PTSD problems are magnified by substance use disorder. Call their office in Denver or Wheat Ridge, Colorado, or use online booking today to request an in-person or telehealth appointment and learn about comprehensive, customized treatment for PTSD.
Why do I have post-traumatic stress disorder?
The psychological trauma caused by a frightening or life-threatening event can overpower your brain and prevent it from processing the experience. Instead, your brain stays in survival mode, causing intense emotional responses to everyday events.
Your brain also hides the experience in your subconscious, stopping you from dealing with the trauma. The continuing emotional fallout and stress cause PTSD.
The traumatic events that commonly cause PTSD include:
- Combat duty
- Gun violence
- Physical assault or abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual violence
- Robberies or home invasions
- Accidents (car, plane, boat, etc.)
- Death of a loved one
- Hurricanes, tornados, and other natural disasters
PTSD can begin after one trauma or as the result of suffering through many events over months or years, such as emotional abuse and bullying.
Am I more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol if I have PTSD?
Yes, PTSD and substance abuse are closely connected. Nearly half (46%) of people with PTSD are diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD), and about one-third of people diagnosed with SUD also have PTSD.
In many people, PTSD occurs before substance abuse. Medical experts believe that the intense emotions and stress of PTSD lead people to self-medicate with alcohol and/or drugs.
What symptoms will PTSD cause?
PTSD causes an array of disturbing thoughts and negative changes in your emotions, often triggering behaviors that are totally different from your natural self before PTSD.
You may experience any of the following:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Isolation from family and friends
- Irritability and anger
- Uncharacteristic aggression
- Difficulty sleeping
- Memory loss
- Guilt or shame
- Avoidance
Avoidance means you stay away from any person, place, or activity that may activate your memories and trigger PTSD symptoms.
What treatments help me overcome PTSD?
The Magnolia Medical Group providers may prescribe medications to treat specific PTSD symptoms, but talk therapy is the core treatment. Their therapists are skilled in several techniques that effectively treat PTSD, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and prolonged exposure therapy (PET).
Each therapy uses a different approach, so some will fit your needs better. However, the overall goal is to help you understand the effect of trauma, decrease trauma’s hold on your thoughts and emotions, and help you safely face your fears.
Call Magnolia Medical Group today or connect online to request an in-person or telehealth appointment and take the first steps toward overcoming PTSD.