Post-traumatic stress disorder
“There is no timestamp on trauma. There is not a formula that you can insert yourself into to get from horror to healed. Be patient. Take up space. Let your journey be the balm”
What is post-traumatic stress disorder?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a severe accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or rape or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence, or severe injury.
6 things to know about PTSD::
PTSD is more common than many people think.
- It is estimated that roughly 8 million adults in the United States will experience PTSD each year.
- It is also estimated that 7-8% of the United States population will have PTSD at some point in their lives.
Anyone who has experienced a traumatic event is at risk for PTSD.
- Combat or other warlike events.
- Vehicle accidents.
- Natural disasters.
- Sexual assault.
- Child abuse.
- Brutal violence.
- Life-threatening medical incident.
PTSD symptoms typically fall within four major categories.
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares.
- Avoidance of people, places, or activities that remind them of the trauma.
- Increased feelings of hyper-vigilant.
- Extreme negative thoughts and feelings.
The PTSD journey is not the same for any two people.
- The onset of PTSD can vary. Some people can go for several months without showing or experiencing any symptoms. In contrast, someone else may experience them right after the event while watching a movie that depicts a similar trauma event that they experienced.
- For some people, the symptoms may not arise for many years after they have lived through the trauma.
When it comes to the treatment of PTSD, therapy has been shown to be highly effective.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy, also known as CPT.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy.
Support is an essential key to treatment. Loved ones should do the following to show their support:
- Educate themselves on what PTSD is and what their loved one is struggling with.
- Let the loved ones know that they have support but are not required to talk about the traumatic event until they are ready.
- Understand that their loved one may be acting out of character due to PTSD.
- Encourage the loved one to seek help or treatment.
What are the symptoms or signs of PTSD?
To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult must have experienced all the following for at least one month:
- At least one re-experiencing symptom
- At least one avoidance symptom
- At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms
- At least two cognition and mood symptoms
Children’s symptoms may not be the same as adult’s.
- Wetting the bed after having learned to use the toilet
- Forgetting how to or being unable to talk
- Acting out the scary event during playtime
- Being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult
About 10 of every 100 women (or 10%) develop PTSD sometime in their lives compared with about 4 of every 100 men (or 4%).
46.4% of people with PTSD also meet the criteria for a substance use disorder.
Twenty percent of people who experience a traumatic event will develop PTSD.
The amount of mild, moderate, and severe cases is nearly equal, with 36.6% of cases being severe, 33.1% being moderate, and 30.2% mild.
Maui Recovery provides a wide range of programs and activities designed to help our patients flourish. These activities include:
Maui Recovery Understands the Pain Associated with Intense Experiences and Offers Comprehensive PTSD Treatment.
Here at Maui Recovery, we help our clients unplug from their devices and fully become involved with the healing environment that we provide. We also want to make sure that they understand the importance of physical exercise, self-care, and immersing themselves in nature.
Nature immersion is an evidence-based intervention that we have implemented in the recovery journey here at Maui Recovery. We believe that offering adventures in the magical beauty of Maui, which includes hiking, diving from a waterfall, enjoying a majestic sunset, and even snorkeling, all have therapeutic.
Our Clinical staff is trained in EMDR use. This method is used to address and assist a person who has experienced trauma, which had significantly and negatively impacted their recovery. Incorporating elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with eye movements have proven to be effective in the treatment.
The root causes of problems must be pinpointed and cleared. Only then can positive changes ensure. Negative emotions and destructive behavioral patterns can be eliminated. Our professional counselors are available to help them ease their symptoms and learn how to move forward with a greater sense of mental well-being.
15 Years of Healing and Treating
We know first hand the pain and suffering that comes from active addiction. We’re here for you
