PTSD

About 6% of people in the United States develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during their lifetime, which may have long-lasting negative effects when left untreated. At Royal River Psychiatric Care in Yarmouth, Maine, Julie Smith, PMHNP, and the experienced psychiatry team diagnose and treat PTSD to help combat unwelcome moods, thoughts, and behaviors. Schedule an in-person or virtual mental health evaluation by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition affecting mental health that stems from a traumatic life event. People with PTSD might develop it after being in a terrifying situation or witnessing something distressing. 

PTSD symptoms often include flashbacks and nightmares. Left untreated, these and similar symptoms may negatively interfere with your quality of life. Treatment at Royal River Psychiatric Care helps restore mental well-being after trauma.

Which symptoms can PTSD cause?

PTSD could contribute to the following symptoms:

• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Severe anxiety
• Uncontrollable negative thoughts
• Distressing and unwanted memories of past trauma
• Emotional distress
• Avoiding things that trigger traumatic memories
• Memory changes
• Guilt, shame, fear, or blame
• Social detachment from family and friends
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Loss of interest in favorite things
• Thoughts of suicide
• Always being on guard for danger
• Getting frightened easily
• Trouble concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Angry outbursts
• Irritability 
• Depression

You might experience shaking, rapid breathing, sweating, a fast heartbeat, or substance misuse because of PTSD.

What are the risk factors for PTSD?

PTSD risk factors may include:

• Childhood neglect
• Sexual abuse
• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Working as a first responder
• Being in a car accident
• Living through a natural disaster
• Being in military combat
• Witnessing or being a victim of an assault
• Getting kidnapped
• Having a life-threatening medical condition

Your risk might increase if you have blood relatives with PTSD or lack a strong social support network. 

How is PTSD diagnosed?

The Royal River Psychiatric Care team can diagnose PTSD by discussing your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and past trauma. They offer:

• Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations
• Diagnostic assessments
• Risk assessments for suicide and self-harm
• Cognitive and behavioral assessments

Your mental health specialist also screens for depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and similar concerns.

They evaluate your emotions, moods, thoughts, and behaviors to customize an effective PTSD treatment plan. 

How is PTSD treated?

Your personalized PTSD treatment plan at Royal River Psychiatric Care might consist of:

• Exposure therapy
• Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Supportive therapy 
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

• Medication management
• Lifestyle and wellness counseling
• Individual psychotherapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Stress management
• Crisis intervention counseling

You can meet with your mental health specialist in person or via telepsychiatry to overcome debilitating PTSD symptoms and restore mental well-being.

Schedule an in-person or virtual PTSD appointment at Royal River Psychiatric Care by calling the office or booking one online today.