Wonder Years, with our experienced team of professionals, offers comprehensive diagnostic examinations and therapy plans for a variety of mental health issues for any age, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Read on to find out more about PTSD.
Learn More About PTSD
PTSD is a severe condition that can develop after one has experienced or witnessed something terrifying, such as a traumatic ordeal where a serious threat or physical harm had happened. PTSD is a long-term implication of these traumatic experiences that trigger a sense of helplessness, fear, or horror. Common experiences that can lead to PTSD are accidents, war, sexual or physical assault, or natural disasters.
Whilst negative feelings about an incident usually fade over time, individuals who suffer from PTSD will experience them – sometimes with increasing intensity – for a much longer time. It is generally considered PTSD if symptoms are capable of interfering with daily functioning and last over a month. They typically begin within the first 3 months of the traumatic event, although this varies from person to person. Symptoms can be put into four main categories:
- Reliving: People who have PTSD constantly relive the traumatic event through thoughts and memories. These may come in the form of hallucinations, nightmares, or flashbacks. Things that remind them of the trauma, such as an anniversary date, may cause great distress as well.
- Negative Cognition and Moods: PTSD patients may experience feelings related to blame or the inability to remember key parts when recalling the traumatic event.
- Increased Arousal: Excessive emotions, overtly affectionate behaviors, difficulties in relating to others, sleep problems, bursts of anger, and difficulty in focusing may surface and can cause them to be “high-strung”.
- Avoiding: The person with PTSD may avoid certain places, people, or scenarios that may remind them of their traumatic experience. This can lead to social isolation or the inability to enjoy activities that they once did.
Diagnosis for PTSD usually happens at least a month after the traumatic incident, when the persistent negative effects of the experience will be evaluated by a doctor. This is done via a physical examination and a complete medical history check. This is done to rule out any physical illnesses that may be causing symptoms.
In the absence of a physical illness, the patient will be referred to a mental health professional trained in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses, like a psychiatrist or psychologist. An interview is carried out and assessment tools are applied to evaluate the individual for PTSD or other psychiatric conditions. The severity is also determined, according to how debilitating the effects are on the individual’s life.
How Wonder Years Can Help with PTSD
Here at Wonder Years, we perform comprehensive assessments to diagnose and evaluate PTSD in individuals of all ages. Thereafter, a therapy treatment plan can be devised to help manage PTSD symptoms.
Why Choose Wonder Years?
Wonder Years believes in the beneficial effects of collaboration with patients, family members, therapists, psychiatrists, and other care professionals along with regular treatment from our expert team. We also offer diagnosis services, medications, and alternative treatment methods according to our patient’s needs.
Looking for diagnostic assessments and treatment plans? Book an appointment with us today!
