Healing from the Past
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
You do not have to go through Post Traumatic Stress Disorder alone. Our mental health professionals can help. Please contact us.
When the past feels more real than the present, it’s hard to feel safe.
A traumatic event can shatter your sense of safety and change the way you see the world. For some, the experience persists, creating a constant state of high alert that disrupts daily life. This is the reality of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Living with PTSD can feel as though you are haunted by intrusive memories or find yourself constantly on guard for danger that is no longer there.
It’s crucial to know that PTSD is not a sign of weakness, but a complex and treatable mental health condition. At Resilient Psychotherapy & Psychiatric Services, we understand that healing from trauma requires safety, compassion, and expert guidance. Our dedicated team is here to help you process the past, manage your symptoms, and build a future defined by renewed hope.
What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Anyone can develop PTSD after living through or witnessing a terrifying, dangerous, or shocking event. While commonly linked to military combat, the condition can be caused by a single incident or by prolonged exposure to trauma.
Some examples of traumatic events include:
- Combat exposure or being in a war zone
- A serious accident, such as a car crash
- Physical or sexual assault or abuse
- A natural disaster, like a tornado or fire
- Witnessing violence or the death of another person
- A life-threatening medical diagnosis or event
The core of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disruption in the body’s natural stress-response system. After a traumatic event, this system, which is designed to protect you from danger, can get stuck in “high alert.” Your brain continues to perceive a threat even when you are safe, leading to a cascade of psychological and physical symptoms that can feel overwhelming and out of your control.
Recognizing the Symptoms of PTSD
The symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are typically grouped into four distinct categories. You may not experience all symptoms, and their intensity can fluctuate over time.
Re-Experiencing the Trauma
This is one of the most defining features of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, where the trauma feels like it is happening again. This can manifest as vivid and distressing flashbacks, frightening nightmares, or unwanted intrusive thoughts and images of the event. Triggers that remind you of the trauma can also cause intense emotional distress and physical reactions, like a racing heart or sweating.
Avoiding Reminders
To cope with this distress, you may go to great lengths to steer clear of any reminders of the traumatic event. This often means actively avoiding people, places, or situations that are connected to the experience. In an effort to avoid reliving the trauma, you may also try to suppress or push away any painful thoughts and feelings connected to it.
Negative Shifts in Thinking and Mood
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can fundamentally alter how you see yourself, others, and the world. This often includes holding persistent negative beliefs, such as “I am bad” or “The world is dangerous.” You may get stuck in a state of fear, guilt, or shame, while also feeling detached or estranged from loved ones. This emotional numbing can also lead to a significant loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities and an inability to feel positive emotions.
Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions
This symptom cluster is defined by a constant feeling of being “on guard” for danger. You may be easily startled or frightened and may find yourself always scanning your surroundings for threats (hypervigilance). This state of high alert can also lead to uncharacteristic irritability or angry outbursts, as well as significant difficulty with sleep and concentration. It is a physically and mentally exhausting state of constant readiness.
You Are Not Defined By PTSD
While the effects of trauma are profound, it is crucial to remember that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is treatable. Healing is not about forgetting what happened; it is about learning to live with the memory in a way that no longer controls your life.
At Resilient Psychotherapy & Psychiatric Services, our mental health professionals are here to help with compassionate, confidential care. The first step in our process is a thorough evaluation, which allows us to gain insight into your unique experiences and needs. We also evaluate for the presence of any co-occurring conditions, such as ADHD. From there, our team will provide our findings and evidence-based recommendations on your next steps, whether that be psychotherapy, medication management, or providing information on other services.
Our appointments are available online or in person at our office in Oklahoma City. Take the first step by filling out the form below, or contact us with any questions.