Trauma & PTSD Treatment
At Joseph Mental Health Services LLC, we understand the profound emotional and psychological impact that traumatic experiences can have. Trauma-related disorders can alter thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, making daily life overwhelming.
Our compassionate team provides expert care and supportive treatment to help individuals process trauma, regain stability, and move toward recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling after a traumatic event, seeking professional support can be a transformative step toward healing.
Understanding Trauma-Related Disorders
Trauma-related disorders develop after highly stressful or life-threatening experiences. These conditions can affect mental, emotional, and physical well-being, interfering with relationships, work, and overall quality of life.
Types of Trauma-Related Disorders
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD can arise after a traumatic event, causing disruptions in sleep, relaxation, concentration, and daily functioning. It affects about 8 million adults in the U.S. annually. PTSD is not limited to soldiers—anyone who experiences trauma, such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster, can develop it.
-
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD): Similar to PTSD but shorter in duration. Symptoms appear immediately after the traumatic event and last between three days to one month. If they persist, it may evolve into PTSD.
-
Adjustment Disorders: These develop in response to stressful life events like divorce, job loss, illness, or the loss of a loved one. Symptoms include sadness, frequent crying, withdrawal from activities, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, neglecting responsibilities, difficulty focusing, and suicidal thoughts.
Each of these conditions can deeply affect daily life, and professional help is often necessary for recovery.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Trauma-Related Disorders
Re-Experiencing Symptoms
Flashbacks, bad dreams, and intrusive thoughts that make you feel like you are reliving the trauma.
Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms
Being easily startled, feeling tense, having trouble sleeping, and having angry outbursts.
Avoidance Symptoms
Staying away from places, people, or thoughts that remind you of the trauma.
Cognitive Symptoms
Negative thoughts about yourself and the world, feeling irritable, anxious, fearful, and withdrawing from loved ones or using substances.
Trauma-related disorders affect each person differently, but common symptoms include:
Common Causes of PTSD and Trauma-Related Disorders
PTSD and trauma-related disorders can develop from a variety of traumatic experiences, including:
-
Personal Assault: Physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence, or stalking.
-
Serious Accidents: Car crashes, workplace injuries, or medical emergencies.
-
Natural Disasters: Hurricanes, earthquakes, or fires.
-
War and Combat Exposure: Military personnel and first responders are particularly at risk.
-
Unexpected Loss of a Loved One: Traumatic grief from sudden death or a difficult childbirth experience.
-
Chronic Exposure to Violence: High-risk professions, including emergency responders and law enforcement, may experience ongoing trauma.
Not everyone exposed to trauma develops PTSD, but individual vulnerability, past trauma, and genetic factors can increase the risk.
Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders
Healing from Trauma is Possible with the Right Help:
Trauma-Focused Therapies:
-
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps you identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors resulting from trauma, fostering healthier coping mechanisms.
-
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This therapy involves recalling traumatic memories while making specific eye movements, helping to reduce the emotional impact of those events.
-
Antidepressants: These medications help regulate mood and reduce feelings of sadness, anger, and irritability associated with trauma.
-
Anti-Anxiety Medications: Used to manage high anxiety and panic attacks that may occur after trauma. Always consult a medical professional for personalized advice.