PTSD Treatment
Program in Ohio​

Understanding Trauma

A traumatic event occurs when a person has an experience that is life-threatening, incredibly stressful, or distressing. Trauma can make you feel lost and question yourself and everything around you. It can feel impossible to move forward. Trauma is known to lead to the development of mental health concerns, including Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

It is important to note that a person does not always develop ASD, PTSD, or any other mental health concern after experiencing a traumatic event. Traumatic events can include sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and violent crimes. However, any event that causes a person physical, emotional, or psychological harm could be traumatic. Being mindful of how we speak about trauma and traumatic events is important to make sure we are not invalidating someone’s experience.

Acute stress disorder refers to a stress reaction that begins anywhere from 3 days to 4 weeks after a traumatic event. Research indicates that approximately half of the individuals who are diagnosed with ASD later have their symptoms develop into PTSD.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 3.6% of American adults were living with PTSD in 2021. Rates were higher among women than men. Of the individuals living with PTSD, approximately one-third had severe symptoms. Severe symptoms will directly impact your ability to function in your day-to-day life. 

Mental health professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM V) as a guide for making clinical diagnoses. The DSM V explains that PTSD can occur after an individual has been exposed to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. 

This could mean that the individual had the traumatic experience themselves, observed another person experiencing trauma, learned that a family member or close friend experienced trauma, or through repeated exposure to traumatic events. Paramedics, police officers, and first responders are examples of individuals who have repeated exposure to trauma.

THERAPY FOR PTSD AND ADDICTION

When to Get Help for PTSD ​

Research has shown us that when someone experiences trauma, their brain can change. In an effort to protect you from future trauma, your brain keeps itself in a “fight or flight” mode. This shift can lead to mood and personality changes because different areas of your brain are being activated.

There are a variety of symptoms that a person with PTSD in Ohio may experience. They may have memories of the trauma involuntarily or have nightmares that are related to their trauma. Flashbacks are a common symptom as well.

PTSD is known to have a negative impact on a person’s mood. They may feel more anger, guilt, and shame than they did before. It may also be tough to feel positive emotions such as happiness and joy. They may have a hard time feeling close to those who are close to them.

If you have experienced trauma and have noticed that you are having a hard time with your usual daily activities, you should consider working with a trauma-trained therapist. Several symptoms can make it hard for you to go about your day. This would include intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative thoughts about yourself, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating.

If you have been using alcohol or drugs in an attempt to cope with your symptoms, you would likely benefit from a PTSD inpatient treatment facility in Ohio. Drugs and alcohol may be an effective way to dull the pain that you feel, but in the end, they will only make it worse. Prolonged misuse of alcohol and drugs can lead to an addiction which is a different mental health concern that warrants its own treatment.

If you find yourself struggling with feelings of hopelessness, or frequent thoughts of suicide, you should consider meeting with a professional. PTSD is a mental health disease that changes the way your brain functions. At this moment, it may feel like there is no way out of this negative space that you are living in. That is the negative thinking talking to you, and we know that there are compassionate and caring individuals who are trained and experienced in working with individuals who have PTSD.