PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that occurs after a traumatic, terrifying, or shocking event. It affects everyone differently, and no single treatment or therapy works for all. At Psych Health and Wellness, PLLC, in Katy, Texas, Careen Tetuh, PMHNP-BC, specializes in diagnosing and treating PTSD. She offers innovative therapy options that may alleviate symptoms and support traditional treatments. To get help for your PTSD, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

During a traumatic or life-threatening experience, your body goes into “flight or fight” mode to protect itself from danger. You may continue to experience fear and anxiety following the event, but these feelings slowly fade away over time.

However, people with PTSD continue to feel anxious and fearful for a prolonged period following the traumatic event. Their feelings and symptoms may even worsen over time and interfere with daily life.  

What are PTSD symptoms?

PTSD symptoms usually appear within three months of the traumatic event but can take years to occur. PTSD symptoms fall into four categories:

Re-experiencing symptoms

Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts are types of re-experiencing symptoms. 

Avoidance symptoms

With avoidance symptoms, you may find yourself making great efforts to avoid the people, places, and things that remind you of the traumatic event. 

Arousal and reactivity symptoms

People with PTSD also experience heightened arousal and reactivity symptoms, such as being easily startled or always on edge. 

Cognition and mood symptoms

Cognition and mood symptoms with PTSD may include difficulty remembering details of the event, feelings of guilt or shame, and loss of interest in usual activities. 

What can I expect during a PTSD consultation?

When you visit Psych Health and Wellness, PLLC, for a PTSD consultation, you can expect a comprehensive evaluation. The board-certified adult psychiatrists, neurologists, and internal medicine physicians ask detailed questions to understand your mental and physical health.

During your exam, they ask about the traumatic event that triggered your PTSD, the types of symptoms you experience, and the treatments you’ve tried to improve your PTSD. They also review your physical and mental health history, as well as your family history. 

How is PTSD treated?

Your provider at Psych Health and Wellness, PLLC, develops individualized treatment plans for PTSD. Because the mental health condition affects everyone differently, no single treatment works for all. Your plan may include a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

The innovative practice also offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy. This noninvasive therapy uses magnetic energy to stimulate the nerve cells in the brain that control mood. 

Though not FDA-cleared for PTSD, extensive clinical studies are currently underway investigating the benefits of TMS therapy for PTSD.

If you’re interested in treatment for PTSD, call Psych Health and Wellness, PLLC, or book an appointment online today.