Many people suffer traumatic incidents during their lives. This may involve directly experiencing a threatening situation, witnessing the event, or learning that the distressing event has happened to someone you love. Often, the painful effects of trauma can linger and cause ongoing hardship and difficulties in everyday life.
Suffering trauma can put someone at risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), PTSD can develop in response to a traumatic event that is more than an everyday stressor. At Coachella Valley Behavioral Health in Indio, California, we pride ourselves on providing comprehensive care for adults age 18 and older who are battling symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.
Understanding PTSD
After exposure to a traumatic event, such as an accident, sexual assault, or sudden loss, people may have a variety of reactions. Everyone experiences trauma in a unique way, and there are a range of factors that determine how severely an event may impact someone. Not everyone who lives through a trauma develops PTSD, but for those who do, the impacts can be far-reaching.
A person’s specific struggles with PTSD will be unique to them. No two people are likely to experience PTSD symptoms the same way. For example, some people may experience strong symptoms of fear, while others might suffer more from challenging thoughts, changes in mood, and low energy levels. Some people who struggle with PTSD may become more reactive toward their environment and even start engaging in reckless behaviors. Others might suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms that involve strong feelings of dissociation and disconnection.
The possible causes of and risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder are varied and can include:
- Prior history of trauma
- History of experiencing chronic trauma
- Having family members who have suffered from mental health disorders
- Lack of support following a traumatic event
- Experiencing loss related to the trauma
- Experiencing additional stressors after the trauma
Signs & Symptoms of PTSD
Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder can develop following exposure to one or more traumatic events and often develop within a few months of the trauma occurring. If you’ve suffered trauma and are finding it difficult to regain a sense of well-being, you may benefit from treatment for PTSD. It’s also possible to develop PTSD symptoms months or even years after a traumatic incident or series of incidents. To receive a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder, you must experience PTSD symptoms for longer than one month.
PTSD symptoms are organized into four main categories: intrusion symptoms, avoidance symptoms, changes in cognition and mood, and changes in arousal and reactivity. The various signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder can include:
- Recurring memories of the traumatic event that are hard to control
- Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event
- Flashbacks to the event
- Distress when reminded of the event
- Trying to avoid thinking about the traumatic event
- Trying to avoid situations that remind you of the event
- Struggling to remember what happened
- Ongoing self-blame, guilt, shame, or anger in relation to the event
- Having strong beliefs that you are flawed or the world is unsafe
- Feeling alone, isolated, or separate from the rest of the world
- Losing interest in daily activities
- Lacking positive emotion
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Acting aggressively
- Engaging in dangerous behavior
- Being unable to concentrate
- A sense of disbelief or denial
- Feelings of helplessness
- Feeling detached from your body or from reality
- Heightened sense of fear
- Changes in sleep routines
Experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms can be exhausting. Additionally, PTSD symptoms can make you feel like your life has changed forever and is no longer fully in your control. But help is available at a reputable PTSD treatment center. Coachella Valley Behavioral Health is pleased to provide inpatient PTSD treatment in a safe and empowering environment. Getting treatment for PTSD and the effects of trauma can help you heal mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
PTSD Statistics
According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), people of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures can develop posttraumatic stress disorder. APA reports that:
- Approximately 3.5% of adults in the U.S. suffer from PTSD each year.
- An estimated 1 in 11 people will receive a diagnosis of PTSD in their lifetime.
- Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from PTSD.
- In the U.S., African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans/Alaska Natives suffer from PTSD at higher rates than non-Latino white Americans.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) estimates the lifetime prevalence of PTSD among U.S. adults at 6.8%. The DSM-5-TR also notes the following:
- PTSD is more common among veterans and first responders.
- PTSD is most prevalent among survivors of certain traumas that include rape, military combat, and genocide.
Potential Effects of PTSD
When someone is struggling with the effects of trauma and PTSD, they can face additional challenges if they don’t get the care they need. The potential effects of PTSD in the absence of treatment can include:
- Poor quality of life
- Relationship difficulties
- Social isolation
- Physical health concerns
- Problems at work or school
- Work absences
- Failure to reach educational goals
- Substance abuse
- Higher risk for suicide
By seeking care at a PTSD treatment place, you can get on the road to a healthier and more rewarding life. Receiving treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and the effects of trauma can help you learn how to manage PTSD symptoms, achieve greater well-being, and live the life you deserve.
Benefits of Treatment for PTSD
It’s natural to feel nervous when considering PTSD treatment. When you’re struggling with the effects of trauma, the thought of talking about or addressing these concerns can feel overwhelming.
However, at a reputable PTSD treatment center, you can receive care that’s tailored to your needs and delivered in a safe, respectful setting. You can work with experts who are well-versed in helping people heal from the effects of trauma, and you can participate in a therapeutic community by engaging with other people who might also be receiving PTSD treatment. The care and support you receive and the therapies you participate in can help you develop:
- Healthy coping strategies for managing PTSD symptoms
- Beneficial approaches to reducing and handling stress
- Better self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall mental well-being
- Stronger relationships and social support systems
Another potential benefit of receiving treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder is the opportunity to address any co-occurring behavioral health concerns you may have. At our inpatient PTSD treatment center in Indio, California, we’re pleased to be able to provide comprehensive treatment for a range of mental health concerns and co-occurring addictions.
Therapies Used To Treat PTSD
When seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder, it’s helpful to confirm that the treatment place you’re considering can provide personalized care. There are a variety of effective ways to treat PTSD. However, the combination of therapies and services that may be most helpful depends on the person who is receiving care and their unique needs.
At Coachella Valley Behavioral Health, we create treatment plans for our patients that are individualized and holistic. This allows us to offer care that considers the needs of the whole person, rather than simply treating a person’s symptoms. Your holistic PTSD treatment plan at our facility can include:
- Basic medical care
- Medication management services
- Family therapy
- Elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy, depending on your needs
- Process, psychoeducational, recreational, and trauma-related groups
- Experiential therapies, including art and music therapies
The therapies used to treat PTSD can help you develop new ways of thinking about and responding to daily challenges, which can help pave a path to a healthier life.
Why Choose Our PTSD Treatment Center in Indio, California
Serving communities throughout the Coachella Valley and Riverside County regions, Coachella Valley Behavioral Health is a superior choice for PTSD treatment for adults.
Our inpatient PTSD treatment center features a skilled group of professionals who deliver clinically excellent care for patients. These experts include psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists, registered nurses, recreational therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors.
Each person who receives PTSD treatment at our facility works with a dedicated care team that helps them navigate our inpatient services successfully and prepare for discharge. During your time at our PTSD treatment center, your care team will monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed to help you achieve your goals. Our experts begin planning for a seamless and safe discharge from the moment someone is admitted to our PTSD treatment center.
We’re also pleased to provide a warm, supportive, and compassionate therapeutic environment. We strive to help patients achieve their therapeutic goals through encouragement and judgment-free care. When providing PTSD treatment for patients, our professionals work together to deliver services of the highest quality.
If you would like to learn more about our Indio PTSD treatment center and the services we offer, we encourage you to reach out today. Our admissions team can provide you with a thorough assessment that helps us understand your treatment needs and how we may be able to help.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Coachella Valley Behavioral Health.