PTSD

Now seeing patients via telemedicine in Rockford, Chicago, Champaign, Peoria, Springfield, the Metro East, and across Illinois.

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health disorder that some people who have experienced a traumatic event develop. It’s associated with flashbacks, anxiety, and nightmares caused by past trauma. 

Treatment at ClariPath Psychiatry can ease unpleasant symptoms, which can become debilitating, and help you overcome PTSD. See the mental health experts if you or a loved one struggles with PTSD symptoms.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Negative beliefs or thoughts
• Hypervigilance
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Always being on guard 
• Intrusive, intense thoughts and feelings
• Depression
• Guilt
• Shame
• Avoiding people, events, or places that trigger unwanted memories
• Angry outbursts
• Irritability
• Memory loss of traumatic events
• Social isolation
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Reckless behavior patterns
• Getting startled easily
• Self-destructive behaviors
• Substance misuse
• Difficulty sleeping
• Problems concentrating
• Restlessness
• Suicidal thoughts

Left untreated, PTSD increases the risk of anxiety disorders, dementia, mood disorders, alcohol use disorder, and other types of substance use disorder (SUD). 

What increases the risk of PTSD?

Any traumatic event can lead to PTSD. Examples include:

• Witnessing or being a victim of violence
• Car accidents
• Military combat
• Being a first responder
• Natural disasters
• Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse
• Childhood neglect
• Loss of a loved one
• Sudden illnesses
• Severe injuries
• Getting bullied
• Lack of social support surrounding trauma
• Repeated, long-lasting traumatic events

Up to 10% of people experiencing trauma develop PTSD, and up to 80% of the population undergoes traumatic events during their lifetime. 

How is PTSD diagnosed?

Your ClariPath Psychiatry specialist meets with you via telemedicine to complete a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. They discuss any past trauma and your moods, emotions, behaviors, thoughts, and lifestyle habits. 

Your mental health provider uses DSM-5 criteria to make a diagnosis, screen for additional mental health conditions, and develop an effective treatment plan.

How is PTSD treated?

Your customized PTSD treatment plan may consist of:

• Medication management
• Lifestyle modifications
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Trauma-focused therapy
• Other forms of psychotherapy 
• Group therapy
• Insomnia treatment

It’s helpful to maintain a strong social support network, get plenty of sleep, eat healthy foods, stay active, minimize stress, and avoid drugs and alcohol. Follow up with your ClariPath Psychiatry specialist routinely for therapy and medication management monitoring.

Schedule a telemedicine PTSD evaluation at ClariPath Psychiatry by calling the office or requesting a visit online today.