Countless people suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, after experiencing a traumatic event. Those who have this disorder might re-experience the event, feel emotional numbness, and have difficulty sleeping. Irritation and anger are also common for those with this mental condition. Living with the condition is not easy, so many seek treatment. While each PTSD patient is different, many respond well to a combination of medicine and therapy.
Psychiatrists have a variety of medication options for treating patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Medications might be used on their own or in combination with other medications. Regular sessions can determine if the medications are working. The patient must work with the mental health provider to ensure progress.
Antidepressants are a common choice for treating PTSD. Out of the available antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are proven to be the most effective. SSRIs alleviate depression and anxiety and make it easier for people to sleep. They also improve concentration. The FDA has approved the SSRIs paroxetine and sertraline for PTSD patients.
Anti-anxiety medications are also used to treat PTSD. These often include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam and alprazolam. It is possible to become addicted to many of the anti-anxiety medications available, so these drugs are only prescribed for short-term use. The patient will need to keep frequent appointments with the psychiatrist while using these medications to ensure that addiction is not becoming an issue.
Prazosin is an alpha-blocker. While it was not originally used to treat PTSD, it is becoming increasingly common for those who suffer from nightmares due to this disorder. Early research shows it can reduce and, in some cases, suppress nightmares in those who suffer from PTSD. This makes it easier for people to sleep and alleviates the symptoms that come from experiencing vivid and terrifying dreams.
Psychiatrists often recommend that patients also seek therapy from a licensed psychotherapist. Just like with medication, therapists have a variety of options for treating patients. An initial assessment can determine if the patient needs to continue with medications and talk therapy. The mental health provider may need to consider alternative treatments if the patient is not getting better.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) helps people reframe the trauma to better deal with it. This course of treatment usually takes 12 weeks, and patients should go every week. Sessions last for 60-90 minutes each. The patient must have the dedication and motivation to keep each appointment.
Prolonged exposure therapy is a popular choice for those suffering from PTSD. Patients learn how to manage stress when dealing with situations that frighten them. Patients face the scary things one by one until they learn to effectively manage their symptoms. Each of them usually needs eight to 15 sessions. These sessions generally last for 90 minutes.
Patients might also undergo stress inoculation training or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. The therapist will work with the psychiatrist to choose the right option for the patient. PTSD is a damaging condition. It may take time to find out the right solution for a particular patient. Most patients may need to go through some trial and error to determine which treatment works the most.
Seeing a mental health professional may seem intimidating to many people. That is why it takes courage and determination to seek help for PTSD. A person who gets help can gain many benefits from it. Here are some of them:
Many people think they can overcome the symptoms of PTSD on their own, but most require outside help. A combination of medication and therapy is just what the doctor orders when dealing with PTSD. Staying with the treatment plan can help the patient get better over time. The right treatment helps patients live happy and fulfilled lives.
Get more information about NYC Psychiatric Associates in New York at https://nycpsychiatricassociates.com.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
While there is no cure for many long-term behavioral disorders, they may be successfully controlled with the right combination of therapy and other treatments. Behavioral issues such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and addiction disorders are prevalent nowadays.While there has been a lot of study into what causes behavioral disorders, including diverse fields…
Depression treatment can vary from patient to patient. However, all psychiatrists approach each patient with some basic techniques. These strategies can guide you through your depression treatment. Here are the details on how each mental health provider can guide you through your condition.The psychiatrist can prescribe antidepressants. These drugs can help correct the uneven chemistry…
Professional schizophrenia treatment is necessary due to the complexity of the mental health disorder. Psychiatrists characterize it as a range of hallucinations, delusions, jumbled thinking patterns, and sometimes a loss of emotional resonance or expressiveness. These are just some of the symptoms that make trying to manage the disorder independently nearly impossible and dangerous.Before developing…
Treatment-resistant depression is a leading reason patients seek antidepressant alternatives, but it is far from the only reason. Though typically a first-line treatment, antidepressants are not the only option and are not right for every patient. The following are some reasons these drugs may not work for you and alternative therapies a psychiatrist might recommend.In…
While there is no cure for many long-term behavioral disorders, they may be successfully controlled with the right combination of therapy and other treatments. Behavioral issues such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and addiction disorders are prevalent nowadays.While there has been a lot of study into what causes behavioral disorders, including diverse fields…
Depression treatment can vary from patient to patient. However, all psychiatrists approach each patient with some basic techniques. These strategies can guide you through your depression treatment. Here are the details on how each mental health provider can guide you through your condition.The psychiatrist can prescribe antidepressants. These drugs can help correct the uneven chemistry…