Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that often occurs after trauma. The symptoms can vary, but many people experience heightened negative reactions, anxiety, depression and more. Potential triggers can bring up painful memories, making it difficult to overcome PTSD.
Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for PTSD. However, individuals can get treatment to manage their symptoms and overcome this condition’s unique challenges.
About PTSD Treatment
Before therapists begin treatment, they assess patients to better understand what methods can provide the best results. There are a few ways to treat PTSD. Mental health professionals typically offer treatment when symptoms occur for more than four weeks.
Before that four-week mark, therapists may recommend active monitoring. This process involves examining symptoms and monitoring their severity. For most people, symptoms subside four weeks after the traumatic experience. When they don’t, treatment should begin.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This form of talk therapy is one of the most common tools for treating PTSD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) revolves around open discussions. Mental health professionals work with patients to change their relationship with negative thoughts, changing their perspective to gain a healthier outlook.
Counseling for post traumatic stress disorder can usually last for up to 12 weeks. However, the treatment timeline can vary from person to person.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another treatment option that therapists recommend for those with PTSD. Why EMDR works isn’t well understood, but it can provide similar results to CBT.
With EMDR, patients recall the traumatic experiences that they struggle to overcome. As they do so, therapists will move their hands, tap their fingers on a table and make audible noises. The goal is to recall the event while focusing on the sounds and making eye movements.
Medications
In some cases, mental healthcare providers may recommend a course of prescription medications. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common. They are antidepressants that may help reduce symptoms. Medications come with potential side effects and require careful tapering to avoid withdrawal issues, but medications can be an effective treatment option alongside counseling for post traumatic stress disorder.
Author Resource:-
Alester Brown writes about physiotherapy. She advises people on health care, online therapy, anxiety discussion groups & depression message boards. You can find her thoughts at depression forum blog.
