Most people who experience a traumatic event recover from bad memories and other lingering effects in a matter of weeks or months. However, when that’s not the case, the team of leading psychologists and psychiatrists at Uptown Psych, located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, can help. The practice has several experts in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on staff. Make an appointment by phone or with the online scheduling tool to talk to one of Uptown Psych’s trained professionals and to learn more about how you or someone you love can deal with PTSD.
PTSD is a mental health issue that individuals may develop after a traumatic, sometimes life-threatening situation, like war, environmental disasters, automobile accidents, or sexual assault incidents. Most people face difficulties after that type of event. That could mean nightmares, trouble sleeping, unpleasant memories, and edginess. Usually, people start to recover after several weeks or months. For people with PTSD, issues persist for more than just a few months.
PTSD can develop in anyone, not just veterans. There are several factors that impact whether or not a person gets PTSD and how severe the case may be, including:
Receiving the necessary social support from people around may make it less likely you will develop PTSD, but for the most part, the factors that lead to PTSD are largely out of your control.
Typically, PTSD symptoms manifest soon after the traumatic event. However, in some cases they may not start to show up until months or even years later. They also can come and go over time.
There are four main types of PTSD symptoms:
Each person experiences these symptoms differently. If symptoms cause you great distress, see a medical professional to learn more about how to deal with PTSD and manage your symptoms. Often, trying to deal with these symptoms on your own can lead to unhealthy ways of coping like drug and alcohol abuse.
At Uptown Psych, PTSD treatment for mild to severe cases involves over-the-counter medications and therapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques. The practice’s team of skilled therapists understands the sensitive nature of this disorder and takes a full mind-body approach to combating the effects and helping you overcome the life obstacles it presents. With medication and therapeutic treatment, many people with PTSD get rid of their symptoms altogether, or minimize them enough so as not to interfere with everyday life.