Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms commonly affect military veterans, victims of sexual and physical abuse, and those involved in serious accidents. Social distancing and isolation caused by COVID-19 safety measures was a trigger for many of those living with symptoms of PTSD. “It is common for people with PTSD to isolate themselves,” says Jayvie Ramirez, Psychotherapist and Veterans Care Team Lead at Zumbro Valley Health Center. Although not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, there are many common signs and thoughts that can affect people of all ages.
Symptoms of PTSD
• Feeling emotionally detached from other people
• Unable to remember important aspects of a tragic event
• Nausea, sweating, or increased heart rate when reminded of trauma
• Intense nightmares about the event
• Easily startled or difficulty concentrating
Thoughts Associated with PTSD
“I feel like it keeps happening over and over again.”
• “I just feel numb.”
• “I can’t remember what happened.”
• “I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. I can’t trust anybody.”
• “My body is here, but my mind is still there. I can’t escape it.”
PTSD Treatments at Zumbro Valley Health Center
Symptoms of PTSD can be extremely overwhelming, but there are treatments available. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term approach to PTSD treatment. Through talk therapy, providers discuss thoughts and perceptions that may be influencing a client’s thoughts and behavior. After identifying harmful thoughts, strategies are employed to challenge and overcome them. Another treatment option of EDMR Therapy. This is a psychotherapy model that corrects the mis-storage of painful memories associated with the trauma, allowing them to lose their charge. The clients who undergo this type of therapy are then able to react to stimuli in the present without the past interfering. One more type of trauma treatment offered at Zumbro Valley Health Center is Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). This treatment helps clients learn to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their inner emotions and, instead, accept that these deeper feelings are appropriate responses to certain situations that should not prevent them from moving forward in their lives.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of PTSD, contact Zumbro Valley Health Center today. Our trained, mental health professionals can help guide you along your path of healing and recovery.