DiagnosisTo diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder, your doctor will likely: Show
Diagnosis of PTSD requires exposure to an event that involved the actual or possible threat of death, violence or serious injury. Your exposure can happen in one or more of these ways:
You may have PTSD if the problems you experience after this exposure continue for more than a month and cause significant problems in your ability to function in social and work settings and negatively impact relationships. TreatmentPost-traumatic stress disorder treatment can help you regain a sense of control over your life. The primary treatment is psychotherapy, but can also include medication. Combining these treatments can help improve your symptoms by:
You don't have to try to handle the burden of PTSD on your own. PsychotherapySeveral types of psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, may be used to treat children and adults with PTSD. Some types of psychotherapy used in PTSD treatment include:
Your therapist can help you develop stress management skills to help you better handle stressful situations and cope with stress in your life. All these approaches can help you gain control of lasting fear after a traumatic event. You and your mental health professional can discuss what type of therapy or combination of therapies may best meet your needs. You may try individual therapy, group therapy or both. Group therapy can offer a way to connect with others going through similar experiences. MedicationsSeveral types of medications can help improve symptoms of PTSD:
You and your doctor can work together to figure out the best medication, with the fewest side effects, for your symptoms and situation. You may see an improvement in your mood and other symptoms within a few weeks. Tell your doctor about any side effects or problems with medications. You may need to try more than one or a combination of medications, or your doctor may need to adjust your dosage or medication schedule before finding the right fit for you. Coping and supportIf stress and other problems caused by a traumatic event affect your life, see your doctor or mental health professional. You can also take these actions as you continue with treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder:
When someone you love has PTSD The person you love may seem like a different person than you knew before the trauma — angry and irritable, for example, or withdrawn and depressed. PTSD can significantly strain the emotional and mental health of loved ones and friends. Hearing about the trauma that led to your loved one's PTSD may be painful for you and even cause you to relive difficult events. You may find yourself avoiding his or her attempts to talk about the trauma or feeling hopeless that your loved one will get better. At the same time, you may feel guilty that you can't fix your loved one or hurry up the process of healing. Remember that you can't change someone. However, you can:
Preparing for your appointmentIf you think you may have post-traumatic stress disorder, make an appointment with your doctor or a mental health professional. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment, and what to expect. Take a trusted family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided to you. What you can doBefore your appointment, make a list of:
Some basic questions to ask your doctor or mental health professional may include:
Don't hesitate to ask any other questions during your appointment. What to expect from your doctorYour doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask:
What coping strategies work best for PTSD?Positive ways of coping with PTSD:. Learn about trauma and PTSD.. Join a PTSD support group.. Practice relaxation techniques.. Pursue outdoor activities.. Confide in a person you trust.. Spend time with positive people.. Avoid alcohol and drugs.. Enjoy the peace of nature.. What are trauma coping mechanisms?And seek out other healthy coping strategies such as art, music, meditation, relaxation, and spending time in nature. Be patient. Remember that it's normal to have a strong reaction to a distressing event. Take things one day at a time as you recover.
How can you help a client with PTSD?How to Help Clients With PTSD and Trauma. Ensure your client they are not to blame. ... . Do not avoid talking about trauma for fear of re-traumatizing. ... . Use creative therapy to work through trauma. ... . Measure progress of symptoms.. What are the most effective therapies for PTSD?Strongly Recommended. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) » ... . Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) » ... . Cognitive Therapy » ... . Prolonged Exposure » ... . Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy » ... . Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy » ... . Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) » ... . Medications ». |