PTSD
Do You Qualify?
Our PTSD treatment program is designed to help as many people as possible in treating PTSD, but there are some qualifications you’ll need to meet before our compassionate professionals can assist you with your trauma treatment.
To admit to our Psychiatric Day Treatment*, you’ll need to give us a call today and speak with our admissions team. Each person will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine precisely whether or not they fit the criteria for our Psychiatric Day Treatment*.
What Is PTSD?
Most people have heard of PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, but many don’t fully understand what it entails or how it affects one’s life and cognitive function. PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a profoundly distressing event. These events can include military combat, sexual abuse, domestic violence, natural disasters, or violent crimes. The common thread among these traumas is the emotional scars they leave behind, leading to various issues such as self-harm or substance abuse.
The impact of PTSD is significant and indiscriminate, affecting individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Some people experience symptoms immediately, while others may not show signs until weeks, months, or even years later. This delayed onset is one reason why seeking help from a PTSD treatment center is crucial.
Why Does PTSD Happen?
PTSD occurs due to the brain’s response to a traumatic event. When someone experiences a profoundly distressing incident, their brain undergoes a series of changes that impact how they process and recall memories. The amygdala, which is responsible for emotional reactions, becomes hyperactive, leading to heightened stress responses. Meanwhile, the hippocampus, which manages memory formation, can become less effective, causing fragmented or intense memories of the trauma.
Factors influencing the development of PTSD include:
- Severity of Trauma: The more severe or prolonged the trauma, the higher the likelihood of developing PTSD.
- Personal History: Previous traumatic experiences, especially in childhood, can increase susceptibility.
- Support System: Lack of support after the traumatic event can exacerbate symptoms.
- Biological Factors: Genetics and brain chemistry play a role in determining how individuals respond to trauma.
Understanding these factors highlights the complexity of PTSD and the necessity for comprehensive treatment approaches.
The Symptoms Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD manifests in various ways, often making daily life challenging. Common symptoms include:
- Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted memories of the traumatic event, flashbacks, and nightmares.
- Avoidance: Steering clear of reminders of the trauma, whether it be people, places, or activities.
- Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: Feelings of hopelessness, distorted beliefs about oneself or others, and difficulty maintaining relationships.
- Hyperarousal: Being easily startled, feeling tense, having difficulty sleeping, and experiencing angry outbursts.
These symptoms can co-occur with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and substance use disorders, complicating diagnosis and treatment. However, with expert care, these challenges can be addressed effectively.
PTSD Treatment Options
If you are dealing with PTSD, it’s crucial to seek professional help to manage symptoms effectively. Here are some treatment options:
Cognitive processing therapy, or CPT, is hugely beneficial for many people when it comes to PTSD treatment and behavioral health. It works on the idea that traumatic experiences can change thinking patterns in a negative way, and that leads to distressing emotions and behaviors. So CPT is a therapy that helps people see this issue and take their thoughts to look at them in another way – from a more positive angle, in other words.
In most cases, it takes several regular therapy sessions at a good treatment center to start making headway using CPT. You’ll need to work with one of our trained therapists to get the most benefit, but many people can find relief using this method as they’re offered new coping skills and strategies that help them manage their PTSD symptoms in the right way.
Prolonged exposure therapy is one of the alternative methods of treatment for PTSD, and it works by confronting the memories of the traumatic event and the triggers that come with them. It’s not an easy route to take when it comes to PTSD treatment, but it is something people find useful, and it might be just the right thing for you. Patients gradually expose themselves to the memories of the trauma in a safe and controlled way with a therapist there to guide them, and the goal of this trauma therapy is to allow people to take control and use that to readjust their lives.
EMDR is another evidence-based therapy designed to address and alleviate PTSD symptoms from trauma. When someone takes part in an EMDR session, they go through bilateral stimulation, which means they have to look from one side to another, often following the therapist’s finger or watching a ball on a screen, for example. Interestingly, this type of stimulation seems to make the brain process distressing memories much more easily, making them a lot less concerning and removing some of the issues associated with PTSD symptoms. As a trauma treatment, this is a simple but effective idea.
For some people with PTSD, therapy that’s all about talking and listening just isn’t right for them when it comes to PTSD treatment; they need something else – perhaps something they can really focus on to relieve their trauma symptoms. That’s where trauma-sensitive yoga can be helpful. In this way, patients can use mindfulness and controlled physical movement to connect with their physical bodies and stop thinking about the traumatic event that’s caused their issues with PTSD. People can be more aware of their physical movements, their breathing, and the present moment, which means they won’t be continuously remembering the trauma they went through; this can obviously be a big help and a useful treatment for PTSD.
In some cases, medication can be the ideal solution for PTSD treatment, and medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or other antidepressants might be prescribed to help with this particular mental health condition and the memories of the trauma.
It’s important to remember that medication alone usually won’t be the most helpful PTSD treatment and that many treatment plans will offer a number of different ideas to run alongside medication, such as therapy.
There are many forms of treatment program ideas for PTSD, but something that many people find relief from is group therapy. This idea brings people with PTSD together in a supportive environment where they can share experiences of trauma and offer one another advice and insights about this and other mental health issues. This therapy can occur in a treatment center or separately, but professional help should always be at hand to guide people through the session.
Why Psychiatric Day Treatment* Helps PTSD Treatment
When it comes to addressing PTSD, Psychiatric Day Treatment* programs are particularly effective. Here are the key benefits:
Tailored Treatment Plans
Outpatient programs offer individualized care tailored to each person’s unique experience with PTSD. This includes considering the nature of the trauma, co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, and symptom severity. Our psychiatric professionals ensure the right treatment plan is in place by asking the right questions.
Flexible Nature
Psychiatric Day Treatment* provides flexibility, allowing patients to integrate treatment into their daily lives. This means you can receive comprehensive treatment for PTSD and related conditions while maintaining your routine and staying connected with loved ones. Whether you need partial hospitalization or outpatient care, you can create a schedule that includes all necessary therapies and supports.
Comprehensive Support
Psychiatric Day Treatment* programs offer a range of treatment services, from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy to medication management and group therapy. This comprehensive approach ensures all aspects of your PTSD are addressed.
Community and Continuity
Being part of Psychiatric Day Treatment* means you’re not isolated; you have a community of individuals who understand your struggles. This supportive environment can make a significant difference in your recovery journey.
Cost-Effective
Compared to inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment programs are generally more affordable while still providing intensive, high-quality care.
Monitoring and Adjustment
Regular sessions allow for continuous monitoring of your progress and adjustment of your treatment plan as needed, ensuring you always receive the most effective care.
In summary, outpatient programs provide a balanced approach to treating PTSD, offering flexibility, comprehensive care, and a supportive environment, all tailored to your unique needs. If you or a loved one is struggling with PTSD, consider reaching out to Windward Mental Health to explore how our Psychiatric Day Treatment* can help.
Reclaming your life from PTSD
Reclaiming your life from PTSD isn’t easy, but left untreated, things can get much worse. That’s why it’s wise to contact us as soon as possible for help with your daily functioning and to get the right treatment for PTSD for you. Our effective treatment methods can make all the difference to your symptoms, including anxiety, and past trauma no longer needs to be a factor in your life; your long-term recovery can start today. Contact us now for the help and treatment for PTSD that you need. We are located in Dedham and serve the Boston Metro West region of MA.
