PTSD

About 5% of people in the United States struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At Dreavita, an adult and adolescent mental health telehealth practice serving patients in Michigan, Massachusetts, California, Alaska, Washington, Colorado, and Florida, Andrea Piazza, MA, and the team diagnose and treat PTSD to eliminate ongoing fear, flashbacks, nightmares, and more. Schedule a telehealth evaluation by phone or request one online today.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that sometimes develops after a traumatic life event. The experts at Dreavita diagnose and treat this condition to eliminate bothersome symptoms of chronic (ongoing) PTSD in adults and adolescents. 

They consult with schools, clinics, businesses, and other organizations to support mental health services for students, employees, and other community members.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD can cause the following symptoms:

• Distressing memories of past traumatic events
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Extreme emotional distress
• Avoiding places, people, or situations linked to trauma
• Negative thoughts
• Guilt, shame, anger, blame, or fear
• Memory issues
• Detachment from friends and family 
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Depression
• Being startled easily 
• Frequently being on guard for danger
• Trouble concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability
• Substance misuse
• Physical reactions (rapid breathing, sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, etc.)

PTSD symptoms often begin within the first three months after experiencing trauma. However, they may not develop until years after a traumatic event. 

What may cause PTSD?

Any type of trauma can cause PTSD, including:

• Natural disasters
• Fires
• Muggings
• Robberies
• Military combat
• Being a first responder
• Witnessing or experiencing violence
• Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
• Childhood neglect
• Car accidents or other accidents
• Physical assault 
• Loss of a loved one

Risk factors for developing PTSD include a family history of mental health concerns, lack of a strong social support network, misusing substances, and a history of severe or long-lasting trauma.

How is PTSD diagnosed?

Diagnosing chronic PTSD at Dreavita involves a virtual psychiatric evaluation in which your mental health specialist asks questions assessing your overall mental health and well-being. They discuss your emotions, history of trauma, moods, thoughts, lifestyle, and behaviors to create an effective mental health treatment plan.

How is PTSD treated?

Treating PTSD at Dreavita may consist of one or more of the following solutions:

• Kintsugi emotional wellness solutions
• Client-centered talk therapy
• Couples counseling
• Family counseling
• Coaching
• Lifestyle changes
• Medications
• Neurofeedback using Muse™ devices 
• Financial therapy
• Art therapy
• Trauma-informed counseling
• Exposure therapy 
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), including trauma-focused CBT
• Sublingual ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)

Dreavita partners with Journey Clinical to offer fully remote KAP. The practice also provides an advanced therapeutic technology rental program, where you can rent neurofeedback or similar devices and workbooks with worksheets that help you set and meet your goals.

Dreavita takes a holistic, integrative approach to treating PTSD to help you overcome worrisome symptoms and thrive in any environment.

Schedule a telehealth evaluation at Dreavita by phone or online today to receive treatment for PTSD.