Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can cause severe emotional distress and mental health problems. If you’ve experienced trauma and are having symptoms of PTSD, Allison Sikorsky, PMHNP, of At Your Service Psychiatry can help. From the comfort of your home, you can benefit from Allison’s expertise via video link. At Your Service Psychiatry has its base in Bloomingdale, Illinois, but Allison is licensed to provide telepsychiatry services in 20 states nationwide. Find out more by calling the office or book online today.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that can affect people if they’re involved in or witness a traumatic event.
Although it’s still thought of as something that affects soldiers and other combat veterans, PTSD isn’t limited to service personnel. Anyone can develop PTSD, and it can happen because of any event that is particularly traumatic for that individual.
Common examples of triggers for PTSD other than being in combat include:
It’s also possible to develop chronic PTSD following extended trauma, such as childhood or spousal abuse.
There are four categories of symptoms that define PTSD:
It’s common for people with PTSD to find it difficult to put the memories of the event out of their minds. Instead, they relive them over and over. You might also experience vivid nightmares and have flashbacks to the event. Flashbacks are more than memories –– they make you feel like you’re experiencing the event again for real.
To help prevent flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories, you might start avoiding anything that could be a reminder, including:
You might cut yourself off from anyone who was there with you at the time of the event, for example. You probably want to avoid talking about your experience as well.
You might feel depressed or anxious, and have overwhelming feelings of guilt, anger, shame, or fear. You might find it hard to trust anyone and feel distanced from people, and activities you love.
You might become increasingly irritable and start feeling very angry or lose your temper more often. You might also feel like you’re living on your nerves, jumping at the slightest sound and having trouble sleeping.
Treating PTSD typically involves taking medications to reduce anxiety and depression, along with expert psychotherapy. You might feel reluctant to talk about the event and your feelings, but this is an essential step in overcoming the trauma.
At Your Service Psychiatry’s Allison Sikorsky PMHNP, is an experienced psychiatric nurse practitioner who can help you recover from PTSD with her expertise and compassionate support.
A key advantage of using At Your Service Psychiatry is that everything takes place over the internet, so you don’t have to leave your home. Allison uses videoconferencing technology to talk to patients via their laptops or tablets.
The experience is exactly like going to a traditional office-based psychiatrist but is far more convenient and significantly less stressful.
You can get over the trauma and the distressing symptoms of PTSD with expert help. Call At Your Service Psychiatry to find out how or book your first appointment online today.
