PTSD Treatment in Plano & Frisco, TX

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that typically appears after a traumatic event in your life. Sometimes, the symptoms of PTSD start to show up very soon after the event or circumstance. In other cases, PTSD symptoms do not appear until much later in life. 

PTSD has various psychological symptoms, which can cause rippling effects on multiple areas of your life. Prime Psychiatry evaluates symptoms like:

• Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event
• Recurrent nightmares and insomnia
• Severe emotional reactions to reminders of the traumatic event
• Memory problems surrounding the traumatic event
• Distorted self-perception
• Avoiding people or places linked to the traumatic event
• Avoiding talking about your trauma
• Hopelessness
• Emotional numbness and detachment
• Ongoing feelings of guilt and shame
• Irritability or aggressiveness
• Being easily startled or fearful
• Self-destructive behaviors (e.g., alcoholism, risky sexual behaviors)

Some of these symptoms could indicate other psychiatric conditions or none at all; therefore, to confirm a diagnosis of PTSD, you must come in for a professional psychiatric evaluation. Our team asks about your symptoms and compares them to criteria for PTSD in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

What causes PTSD?

You could develop PTSD after living through a traumatic event or circumstance or witnessing one, even if you aren’t a direct victim. Though an event or situation may not threaten your life, it can still leave a lasting impact on your psychological wellness. 

Experts aren’t certain of what causes some people to get PTSD after traumatic events, while others go without this long-term effect. Your risk for PTSD could be higher than average because of:

• Coexisting psychiatric disorders
• Family history of psychiatric disorders
• Hormones and brain chemicals
• Personality traits

Many mental health disorders share the same underlying causes. Your risk for PTSD is particularly high if you lack a strong support system, have worked in a risky or traumatic position like in the military or as a paramedic, or experienced trauma early in your life.

What are my treatment options for PTSD?

Our team works closely with you to create an individualized treatment plan for your PTSD. A typical treatment plan includes:

Lifestyle medicine

Lifestyle medicine refers to the habit and behavior changes you make to improve your mental health condition symptoms. For example, in the case of PTSD, our team might recommend stress management, smoking cessation, getting regular sleep, or avoiding substance use. 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy or counseling is a key component of treatment for any mental health condition. Cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are all possible techniques. 

Medication management

Prescription medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications often work well alongside psychotherapy for managing PTSD. Our team offers remote telepsychiatry visits for medication management and other treatment follow-ups. 

Flashbacks and vivid dreams of traumatic events could be a sign of PTSD. Contact Prime Psychiatry by phone or request an appointment online today. 

Notes:
References:

https://www.primepsychiatrymd.com/psychiatricservices/

https://www.primepsychiatrymd.com/telepsychiatry/

https://www.primepsychiatrymd.com/lifestylemedicine/

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355973