PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that makes it hard to manage daily life. At Mental Health and Wellness Associates, based in Santa Monica, California, the team provides patient-centered care for PTSD. Taking a holistic approach, they focus on healing your whole health, not just alleviating your PTSD symptoms. For compassionate care from a team that puts you first, call or schedule an appointment online today. Telehealth appointments are available.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that occurs after someone goes through a traumatic or life-threatening experience such as abuse, natural disaster, or combat. 

Any type of trauma triggers your body’s “fight or flight” response to protect you from danger, making you feel on edge and anxious. In most people, these symptoms improve and resolve over time.

However, in people with PTSD, symptoms worsen over time, affecting their ability to manage their daily routines and responsibilities.

Anyone can develop PTSD.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD symptoms vary in type and severity but must fall into four distinct categories, which include:

Re-experiencing symptoms

Flashbacks and nightmares are re-experiencing symptoms of PTSD. These symptoms are vivid and emotional and feel very real. 

Avoidance symptoms

Avoidance symptoms of PTSD are when people with PTSD stay away from the places, activities, or people that remind them of their trauma.

Arousal and reactivity symptoms

Arousal and reactivity symptoms include feeling tense, having difficulty concentrating, and being quick to anger. These symptoms make you feel anxious and irritable.

Cognition and mood symptoms

People with PTSD have trouble remembering the details of their trauma and struggle with negative emotions like guilt and shame. 

For a PTSD diagnosis, you must show symptoms from all categories, and they must occur for a month or more. 

What happens during a PTSD evaluation?

Your provider at Mental Health and Wellness Associates conducts a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation when you come in with concerns about PTSD.

They take a holistic approach, evaluating all the factors that influence your physical, emotional, and psychological well-being so they can accurately diagnose and treat your disorder. 

What treatments help PTSD?

The team at Mental Health and Wellness Associates customizes your PTSD treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms and your personal goals. No single treatment works for all, and your plan may include a combination of:

Psychiatric medication

The board-certified psychiatrists may prescribe medication to help manage PTSD symptoms, so you can feel better while participating in psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy

The team customizes your psychotherapy using evidence-based techniques that help you develop strategies to identify and change the distressing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors related to your PTSD so you can heal.

For empathetic PTSD care, call Mental Health and Wellness Associates. or schedule a consultation online today.