What is PTSD?

PTSD occurs when you experience or witness one or more frightening incidents and later suffer from recurrent distressing reminders of the incidents. There are four main symptoms of PTSD:

Intrusive memories

These can include mental images, intrusive disturbing memories, feelings of terror, physical sensations, smells, nightmares, and dissociative reactions or emotional numbing.

Changes in physical and emotional reactions

If you have PTSD, you may notice changes in your physical and emotional reactions, including heightened hypervigilant responses or a heightened state of alertness. 

Avoidance

PTSD can cause you to be constantly on guard. You may feel extremely insecure and vulnerable, and avoid reminders of the traumatic incident(s) without awareness of doing so. 

Negative changes in thinking and mood

Overwhelming distress, inability to process distress, and emotional numbing are common as is becoming emotionally disconnected from the environment and others.

What are the causes of PTSD?

PTSD is triggered by a traumatic event, such as an auto accident or the loss of a loved one. Other examples of experiences that can lead to PTSD:

• A threatening encounter, such as being robbed
• Experiencing a natural disaster
• Physical assault
• Physical abuse during childhood
• Receiving a serious medical diagnosis
• Sexual violence

If you have PTSD, call Dr. Messina & Associates to discuss which treatment options are right for you.

What are the treatments for PTSD?

It can be difficult to seek treatment for PTSD because talking about your trauma can be a frightening experience. 

The providers at Dr. Messina & Associates know that establishing trust and understanding is critical in providing you with a safe environment to discuss your concerns and to promote your treatment progress.

Treatment varies for each patient. The providers assess your symptoms and the impact it has on your daily life. The goal is to reduce the psychological, physical, and cognitive impairments caused by post-traumatic stress, and to help you regain stability.

Without proper treatment for PTSD, symptoms can worsen over time from repeated re-experiencing of the prior traumas and also from experiencing additional traumas resulting in seriously debilitating symptoms.

If you are suffering from PTSD, call the office of Dr. Messina & Associates or schedule a consultation online.