PTSD Treatment Services offered in Phoenix, AZ

The four categories of PTSD symptoms are intrusion, avoidance, alterations in mood and cognition, and alterations in arousal and reactivity. PTSD symptoms are usually severe, affecting a person's quality of life. They can start within three months of the stressful event or appear years later. To be diagnosed with PTSD, the person must be experiencing the symptoms for at least a month or more. These symptoms include:

• Having flashbacks of the traumatic events
• Having distressing thoughts about the events
• Staying away from people or places that remind them of the traumatic event
• Avoiding feelings related to the event
• Feeling on edge or tense
• Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
• Engaging in destructive or risky behavior
• Difficulty concentrating
• Pessimistic about the world or constantly having negative thoughts
• Finding it difficult to stay happy or satisfied

Children may have different symptoms, which can include:

• Unable to talk 
• Wetting the bed
• Being clingy with an adult or a parent

The symptoms can worsen without treatment, and some people experience the symptoms for a year or longer. You should seek a mental health professional for an evaluation and personalized treatment to recover from PTSD fully. 

Any event a person finds painful or psychologically taxing can cause PTSD. These events include experiences in childbirth, sexual assault, road accidents and health issues. Other factors also contribute to developing PTSD after a harrowing ordeal, but the risk factor is higher in people with previous distressing incidents and a family history of mental illness. People who seek help during or after a stressful event or those with a coping strategy can help them avoid PTSD symptoms. 

People with PTSD often suffer from other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, substance abuse and depression. It's essential to seek help immediately so that a mental health professional can help treat your symptoms and other mental health conditions that develop with your PTSD. 

If a loved one or a friend has PTSD symptoms, you can help this person recover from this mental health condition by consulting with a health professional who can provide the correct diagnosis and treatment. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the treatment for PTSD includes medications and psychotherapy. Antidepressants such as SNRIs and SSRIs are commonly used medicines for controlling PTSD. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy, is also effective at treating PTSD. If you or a family member needs cognitive behavioral therapy, we refer you to local therapists we trust. 

We offer outpatient PTSD treatment at Peak Mental Health, which includes a combination of therapy and medication management. Our PTSD treatment services include more than giving a prescription; we provide comprehensive care at Peak Mental Health. Our clinical team will monitor your progress and adjust the medications for optimal results. 

If you're experiencing PTSD symptoms, please schedule an appointment for a thorough psychiatric evaluation. Our healthcare professionals will ask about your symptoms and send questionnaires to determine other factors that may contribute to your mental health. If you have questions about our PTSD treatment program, please get in touch with us today.