PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common behavioral condition affecting up to 6% of Americans. You can find relief from PTSD with healthy lifestyle changes, counseling, and medication if needed. At CareStop Behavioral Health in Warner Robins, Georgia, Terrill Cooper, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, provides high-quality PTSD care. Call CareStop Behavioral Health to schedule PTSD treatment, or book your appointment online today. 

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

PTSD is a mental health disorder caused by military combat and/or witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event, like a natural disaster or car accident. This results in various symptoms, including anxiety, flashbacks, negative thoughts, and angry outbursts.

Many people think that PTSD only develops after violent accidents or injuries, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Various things can leave lasting emotional scars, including verbal abuse, bullying, or the sudden death of a loved one.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD symptoms include:

• Intrusive thoughts
• Nightmares
• Flashbacks of the traumatic event
• Ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
• Feeling detached from others
• Irritability
• Angry outbursts
• Problems sleeping (for example, insomnia)
• Being easily startled

As the condition worsens, it can affect your ability to work as well as your friendships and romantic relationships.

How do you diagnose PTSD?

Cooper reviews your medical records and asks about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. He completes a psychiatric exam and compares your symptoms to the criteria for PTSD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). 

If you meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, Cooper develops a personalized treatment plan that relieves your symptoms and improves your quality of life. 

How is PTSD treated?

At CareStop Behavioral Health, Cooper treats PTSD using an integrative and holistic treatment approach. He could suggest:

• Talk therapy (counseling) to confront distressing memories and emotions
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) 
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety medication
• Improved sleep hygiene
• Regular exercise
• Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
• Stress management activities (for example, yoga and meditation)

Most people with PTSD benefit from several treatments. Cooper encourages you to play an active role in this process. He asks for your feedback and opinions each step of the way and incorporates your insights into the care plan.

Whenever possible, Cooper treats PTSD without medication. However, if he determines that prescription drugs might benefit you, he initiates treatment using the lowest possible dose. Then, he schedules regular appointments to monitor you for side effects and adverse reactions.

Cooper recommends medication management if you need to take more than one prescription drug. Medication management monitors the drugs you take and their side effects. Cooper adjusts your dosages and prescriptions at regular intervals to optimize their efficacy and your treatment outcomes. 

What results can PTSD treatment provide?

A combination of healthy lifestyle changes and counseling can significantly reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life. And medication may help as well. Cooper monitors your progress at routine checkups and adjusts your treatment plan when needed. 

Call CareStop Behavioral Health to schedule PTSD treatment, or book your appointment online today.