To have a medical diagnosis of PTSD one must have the one of the above symptoms for at least a month and the symptoms are causing enough distress that the individual is having difficulty functioning daily. Many individuals develop these symptoms within three months of the traumatic event, but the symptoms may appear later and could possibly last for months to years. PTSD is often accompanied by depression, memory difficulties, substance abuse, and other physical problems.
PTSD affects approximately 3.5 percent of adults each year in the United States. It is estimated that 1 out of 11 people will suffer from PTSD sometime in their life. Women are twice as likely as men to have PTSD.
People with PTSD will have disturbing and sometimes intense thoughts or feelings related to their traumatic event. Some have nightmares and flashbacks while others may have sadness to anger. Some may detach themselves or estrange themselves from people in their lives. Often people with PTSD will avoid situations or people who remind them of the traumatic event. They often have intense responses to something ordinary such as a loud noise or a simple touch.
Not everyone develops PTSD after a traumatic event and not everyone diagnosed with PTSD needs psychiatric treatment. For some individuals the symptoms wax and wain over time. Those with disabling symptoms may need professional help to recover. It is important to understand that the trauma may lead to severe distress and that this distress is not the person’s fault and that PTSD is treatable. Expediated treatment leads to recovery sooner.
Antidepressants such as SSRI’s and SNRI’s are commonly used to treat the symptoms of PTSD. They can be used alone or with other combinations to include psychotherapy or other treatments. When these treatments fail, Ketamine may be the only treatment of choice.
Southern Ketamine Clinics
1212 Hendersonville Rd | Asheville | NC 28803
828-407-6631
Southern Ketamine Clinics
2768 Georgia Rd | Franklin | NC 28734
828-407-6631