Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can cast a shadow over your life and that of your family members.
This mental health condition can arise in anyone who has experienced, witnessed, learned of, or was repeatedly exposed to graphic scenes of a traumatic event. Traumatic events may include war, natural disasters, physical abuse, sexual assault, or accidents.
The symptoms of PTSD can vary widely, from intrusive memories and flashbacks to emotional numbness and hypersensitivity, making it a complex and challenging condition to navigate.
At Navita Health, we understand the profound impact that PTSD can have on you and your family. That’s why we’re committed to offering compassionate support and guidance to help you or your loved one find healing and reclaim control over your life.
Read on to explore how PTSD treatment can help you on the pathway to recovery and long-term stability.
How Does PTSD Treatment Work?
PTSD treatment is a form of mental health care that works by addressing the symptoms and underlying causes of the disorder to improve your quality of life.
While PTSD may not be fully cured, treatment aims to alleviate symptoms and help you manage your condition effectively. The ultimate goal is to reduce distressing symptoms, improve functioning, and enhance overall well-being.
The primary approaches to PTSD treatment include psychotherapy and medication.
Psychotherapy, particularly evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), are widely recognized for their effectiveness in treating PTSD.
These therapies help you process traumatic experiences, challenge negative thought patterns, and develop coping strategies to manage symptoms.
Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), may also be prescribed. These help to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hyperarousal associated with PTSD.
Those who benefit most from PTSD treatment are people who actively engage in therapy, have a strong support system, and are motivated to work toward recovery.
PTSD Treatment Services
Navita Health offers a range of treatment options to help patients struggling with PTSD.
Each type of care is personalized to help you overcome the grips of traumatic memories, anxiety disorders that may arise as a result, and take back control of your life on your terms.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment programs offer a comprehensive and structured environment for people with PTSD. In these programs, you reside in the treatment facility for a minimum of 30 days where you receive round-the-clock care and support.
These programs incorporate personalized and trauma-focused therapies to help you stabilize, address the root cause of PTSD symptoms, and learn effective coping strategies.
Residential treatment is particularly beneficial if you have severe PTSD symptoms or if you need intensive support to manage your condition away from triggers in your daily environment.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows you to attend therapy sessions while living at home. This approach offers flexibility for those with less severe symptoms or obligations that prevent full-time residential care.
Outpatient programs provide access to counseling, medication management, and other supportive services to help you manage PTSD symptoms while maintaining your daily routine.
Behavioral Therapies
Behavioral therapies are evidence-based approaches that aim to address the underlying thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with PTSD. These therapies include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviors related to PTSD, helping you develop healthy coping strategies.
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): Helps you process traumatic experiences by examining and challenging maladaptive beliefs and perceptions of your experience.
- Cognitive therapy: Targets negative thought patterns and beliefs to promote cognitive restructuring and reduce PTSD symptoms.
- Prolonged exposure therapy (PE): Includes gradually exposing you to trauma-related stimuli or memories to reduce avoidance behaviors and emotional distress.
- Brief eclectic psychotherapy: Combines therapeutic elements from CBT and psychodynamic therapy to identify and shift the emotions related to the traumatic event such as shame, guilt, and more.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or sounds, while patients recall memories related to the traumatic event.
- Narrative exposure therapy (NET): Works to systematically remember and reconstruct your life story, focusing on significant traumatic experiences and their associated emotions and sensations. It is often used in group settings and for those who have experienced multiple traumatic events.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a specific behavioral therapy technique used to help you confront and gradually overcome your fear and avoidance of trauma-related stimuli or memories.
By repeatedly exposing you to these stimuli in a safe and controlled environment, this treatment aims to reduce anxiety and desensitize you to traumatic triggers to improve PTSD symptoms.
Antidepressant Medication
Antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), are commonly prescribed to people with PTSD.
These medications help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts associated with PTSD.
SSRIs such as Sertraline (Zoloft) and Paroxetine (Paxil) and SNRIs like Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) are often recommended as first-line pharmacological for the treatment of PTSD.
These medications may have side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Insomnia or drowsiness
- Sexual dysfunction
- Weight gain or loss
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
Discuss any side effects with your healthcare provider promptly. Adjustments to the medication regimen or alternative treatment options may be available to alleviate these symptoms.
Antidepressants are prescribed based on your overall health and need, including existing comorbidities (health problems) such as physical health issues and mental disorders.
Mental health professionals also consider the potential impact of antidepressants on substance use disorders.
Certain antidepressants, such as SSRIs, may be preferred for patients with co-occurring substance use disorders. They present a lower risk of abuse and addiction compared to other classes of antidepressants.
However, your treatment plan should be carefully tailored to your specific needs and circumstances, with close monitoring by a qualified healthcare professional.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy, also known as talk therapy, involves one-on-one sessions between a therapist and the patient with PTSD.
It provides a safe and supportive space for you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences related to trauma.
With this intervention, you can address specific PTSD symptoms, develop healthy and stabilizing coping strategies, and work toward lasting healing and recovery.
Group Therapy
Group therapy sessions are led by a therapist where people with PTSD come together to share their experiences, provide mutual support, and learn how to take control of their life together.
This approach provides a sense of community and validation, reducing feelings of isolation and stigma associated with PTSD.
It allows you to gain insights from others’ experiences, develop interpersonal skills, and receive encouragement and feedback from peers.
Other Treatments for PTSD
Clinical trials have shown that alternative interventions can help you manage PTSD symptoms, especially when used in combination with traditional therapies. These include:
- Mindfulness and meditation: Practices such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and meditation techniques can help to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and increase awareness of present-moment experiences.
- Yoga: This approach combines physical postures, breathwork, and meditation to improve overall well-being and reduce symptoms of PTSD. It can help you develop greater body awareness, manage stress, and cultivate a sense of calm.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to promote healing and balance energy flow. Some research suggests that acupuncture may help alleviate symptoms like anxiety and insomnia.
- Equine therapy: Under the guidance of a trained therapist, you interact with horses to help you build trust, improve communication skills, and develop emotional regulation.
- Art therapy: With this intervention, you can express your creativity through various artistic mediums, such as drawing, painting, or sculpting. This provides a nonverbal outlet for processing traumatic experiences and emotions.
- Nature therapy: Spending time in nature, also known as ecotherapy or wilderness therapy, can help you reduce stress, improve mood, and promote relaxation.
Types of PTSD We Treat
At Navita Wellness, we understand that PTSD manifests in various forms, each with its own unique challenges and symptoms.
We treat two types of PTSD: acute stress disorder (ASD) and complex post traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD).
Acute Stress Disorder
ASD typically occurs in response to a traumatic event and is characterized by symptoms that develop within one month of the trauma.
Symptoms may include intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, negative changes in mood or cognition, and heightened arousal or reactivity.
For example, a person involved in a car accident may experience ASD symptoms such as reliving the crash through flashbacks or avoiding driving altogether.
ASD can develop following a wide range of traumatic events, including natural disasters, accidents, assaults, or witnessing violence.
Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) often arises from prolonged or repeated exposure to traumatic experiences, such as ongoing abuse, neglect, or captivity.
Symptoms of C-PTSD may include those seen in traditional PTSD, such as flashbacks and hypervigilance. Additional symptoms can include difficulties with emotional regulation, interpersonal problems, and disturbances in self-identity.
For example, survivors of long-term childhood abuse may exhibit C-PTSD symptoms such as chronic feelings of shame, difficulty trusting others, and a distorted sense of self-worth.
C-PTSD typically develops in response to complex, interpersonal trauma that affects fundamental aspects of your sense of self and safety.
Who Will Benefit from PTSD Treatment?
PTSD treatment at Navita Health is designed to benefit people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds that have experienced traumatic events.
We’ve worked with a range of people who have experienced traumatic events, such as:
- Adolescents
- Sexual assault victims
- Refugees and victims of war
- Military service members
- Healthcare workers and first responders
Early intervention and treatment can prevent symptoms from worsening and improve overall quality of life
If you or a loved one has experienced trauma, we can help you navigate, heal, and manage PTSD symptoms for lasting recovery.
What Sets Apart Our PTSD Treatment?
We understand how debilitating and life-altering PTSD can be in your daily life. This is why we’ve crafted comprehensive, person-focused, and trauma-informed treatment plans to help you take back control of your life, emotions, thoughts, and more.
Here’s what sets our PTSD treatment program apart:
- Personalized treatment: Our therapists take the time to conduct thorough assessments and develop treatment strategies that best meet your needs.
- Patient-centered care: We prioritize treating every client with the utmost dignity, respect, and compassion. Our team creates a supportive and understanding environment where you feel safe to explore your trauma, express your emotions, and work toward healing.
- Whole-person focus: We recognize the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in the healing process, so our treatment approach is holistic in nature.
- Comprehensive support system: We understand that recovery from PTSD requires ongoing support and encouragement. That’s why we offer group therapy sessions, peer support groups, and family therapy to help you build a strong support network and foster connections with others who understand your experiences.
- Dual diagnosis treatment: Many people with PTSD also struggle with co-occurring mental illnesses or substance abuse issues. Our integrated treatment approach addresses both PTSD and any co-occurring conditions simultaneously, ensuring you receive comprehensive care that meets your needs.
- Trauma-informed care: Our clinicians are trained in trauma-informed care, meaning they approach each client with sensitivity, empathy, and understanding of the impact of trauma on their lives.
How Long Will PTSD Treatment Last?
PTSD treatment can last from 6 to 12 weeks or extend for longer durations as needed.
Treatment length depends on several factors, including the severity of the trauma, your response to treatment, and your unique needs, goals, and circumstances.
PTSD treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Our clinicians work closely with you to develop personalized treatment plans that outline the expected duration of therapy and the steps involved in achieving your treatment goals.
Does Insurance Cover PTSD Treatment in Texas?
In Texas, insurance coverage for PTSD treatment varies depending on your insurance plan and provider. We work closely with a wide range of insurance plans to help lower the costs for those seeking treatment.
Many insurance plans offer coverage for mental health services, including PTSD treatment, as part of their benefits package.
However, the extent of coverage and out-of-pocket expenses may vary depending on factors such as the type of plan, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
Contact your insurance provider to verify your mental health coverage. You can also contact our team at Navita Health to get help navigating insurance-related questions and finding payment solutions that help you access the treatment you need.
Find Effective PTSD Treatment at Navita Health
Experience effective PTSD treatment at our Navita Health treatment center in Texas.
Our comprehensive programs are tailored to meet your unique needs, offering a range of evidence-based therapies and personalized care.
Take the first step in healing and reclaiming your life from PTSD. Contact us today to learn more and begin your journey to recovery.