Retreat, Recover, and Restart

Trauma can significantly change a person’s life. It is also a catalyst for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health condition that makes people experience severe anxiety, nightmares, or uncontrollable thoughts about an event. If you are a victim of PTSD, it is not something to be shameful about. Research shows that close to 8% of the population will have PTSD in their lifetime. Luckily, our PTSD treatment program at Atlanta Center for Mental Health is available to help you overcome the condition.

Common Symptoms of PTSD

man at a PTSD treatment program in Atlanta GA

Individuals may develop PTSD without necessarily being aware of it. This is especially true after the individual has had a traumatic experience. Some of their behavior may begin to change drastically, but somehow, the individual cannot pinpoint what drives these changes. Understanding the symptoms of PTSD can put you in a better position to seek care from a mental health treatment center before the condition progresses.

Some of these symptoms are:

  • Intrusive memories – The individual experiences recurrent memories of the traumatic event constantly, sometimes in the form of dreams or nightmares. They can make the client experience extreme emotional distress. In some instances, certain physical events from the environment can trigger flashbacks of the traumatic events.
  • Avoidance – A client exhibits avoidance symptoms when they put on a concerted effort to avoid certain places or events. The client may also refuse to visit places that remind them of the ordeals of the past.
  • Changes in physical and emotional reactions – These are the arousal symptoms. The person suddenly becomes easily frightened or overly expectant of danger. As time progresses, the individual displays irrational outbursts and irritability or has trouble maintaining concentration.
  • Mood shifts – A PTSD victim’s mood will gradually shift towards pessimism. They may start thinking lowly of themselves and lose interest in their favorite activities. Others may become emotionally numb, which makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. If this is the case, you may need to seek help from a depression treatment program.

When Should You See a Doctor for PTSD?

Pay attention to yourself and the people close to you, especially after a traumatic event. You should enroll in a PTSD treatment program in Georgia if you experience the symptoms for more than a month. This does not imply in any way that you have to wait for a month before seeking medical attention. If your symptoms are severe, getting medical attention or seeking mental health therapies earlier will go a long way in helping you alleviate your symptoms.

Our PTSD Treatment Program at Atlanta Center for Mental Health

Several approaches are available at our PTSD treatment program in Georgia. These programs help clients to speak about their experiences freely. They also act as a support system for the victim during the recovery period. Below are some of the approaches we use:

  • Trauma focus – This approach deals with addressing the underlying traumas head-on. The individualized therapeutic plan will help the client to identify and deal with the trauma triggers in their environment.
  • Family therapy – strategy aims to help PTSD victims mend their broken relationships. If family members agree, they can hold joint therapy sessions with the victim to learn how to support a person living with PTSD.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – This type of therapy helps the victim reestablish the body’s healthy stress-coping skills.
  • Aftercare – The aftercare approach tracks the client’s progress post-treatment. It enables the client to build coping mechanisms that might help them long-term after completing the PTSD treatment program.

Heal from PTSD at Atlanta Center for Mental Health

PTSD should not prevent you from enjoying life. Everybody has an equal chance of overcoming this debilitating condition with the right treatment. Enroll in a PTSD treatment program, so you can start experiencing life without PTSD symptoms. PTSD treatment programs are vital to the healing process, and Atlanta Center for Mental Health is among the best facilities to help you process and move on from PTSD. Visit us today or contact us at 833.625.0458 to get started.