Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Trauma
The effects of trauma can last for years despite whether they begin and end in an instant or happen over time. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by anxiety from previous traumatic events and can affect anyone who is predisposed at any stage in their lives. The types of PTSD include:
- Acute Stress Disorder: Symptoms appear within the first month of the trauma and last between two days and four weeks.
- Acute PTSD: Symptoms last for more than four weeks after the trauma.
- Delay Onset PTSD: Signs and symptoms develop years after the traumatic event.
- Chronic PTSD: Symptoms last for more than three months, disappear for a few days, and then reappear.
The degree of PTSD varies among individuals. While some individuals may experience mild symptoms—such as irritability—others may be debilitated by the co-occurring disorders that often accompany PTSD, including substance abuse, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Symptoms of PTSD include but aren’t limited to:
- Reliving the trauma
- Unexplained fear
- Anger
- Frightening memories
- Emotional numbness
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest in activities
- Blackouts
- Sleep problems
- Depression
How We Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Trauma
Our treatment environment is firmly rooted in our Social Integration Model™, which aims to encourage positive social functioning. Our individualized treatment plans are customized based on client’s individual needs; no two treatment plans are the same. We aim to assist in relieving the stress that comes from assimilating back into everyday life and help our clients achieve the highest levels of functioning and independence once they leave treatment. Our treatment for PTSD and trauma includes:
- Multiple levels of care designed to provide the ideal level of support to help clients reach their full potential of either independent or semi-independent living.
- Our Social Integration Model™ during which we teach skills in individual and group therapies, and then help clients put them into practice during on- and off-site activities.
- Each client is assessed throughout treatment by our experienced treatment team to advocate for the proper length of treatment to ensure the best chance for recovery.
- In tandem with our Social Integration Model™, we use multiple therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), art therapy, family therapy, and others.