Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. While the body’s natural “fight-or-flight” response is designed to protect us from harm, in PTSD, this response becomes altered, leaving people feeling stressed or frightened even when no danger is present.
Treatment
PTSD is treatable, with therapies and medications helping people regain control over their lives. Common treatments include:
- Psychotherapy — Techniques such as cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) help reduce the lasting fear caused by trauma.
- Medication — Medications to improve mood and focus, treatments to alleviate stress, and options to help with sleep disturbances and troubling dreams.
By working with your doctor, you can identify the best treatment plan tailored to your symptoms and needs. Many notice improvements in mood and symptoms within weeks of starting treatment.
