PTSD

After a traumatic event or period of life, many people experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can include disruptive symptoms, including sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and more. For expert care and treatment of PTSD, turn to Claudia Porter, APRN, PMHNP-BC, at Porter Elite Care Services. Claudia Porter offers care in-person and via telehealth at the Stuart, Florida, office. Request your appointment online or over the phone.

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a potentially debilitating mental health condition that occurs after trauma. The symptoms of PTSD differ from person to person. However, common PTSD symptoms tend to fall into the following broad categories.

Cognitive and mood symptoms

You may struggle to recall the details of traumatic events in your past or experience derealization. People with PTSD often struggle with mood symptoms, including depression, anxiety, guilt, and shame.

Re-experiencing

PTSD can cause you to re-experience trauma. Memories can be intrusive, recurring, involuntary, and distressing. You can even have vivid flashbacks to past traumatic times or experience nightmares.

Avoidance

You may find yourself avoiding potential triggers, places, events, objects, or people that remind you of past trauma. That can make it challenging to live a full life.

Arousal symptoms

When you’re living with PTSD, it’s often easy to arouse you into “fight or flight” mode. You might be easily startled or experience intense outbursts of anger.

All of these symptoms cause distress and diminished quality of life.

What events can cause PTSD?

Many types of traumatic experiences can leave you dealing with PTSD. PTSD can occur in adults and children of all ages. But not all people who go through trauma develop PTSD.

PTSD can occur after military service, a physically violent attack or injury, or domestic violence. Some types of trauma, like abuse in childhood, can result in complex forms of PTSD. You can even develop PTSD after a car accident.

How can you relieve your PTSD?

There isn’t a cure for PTSD, but that doesn’t mean that there’s no relief for your symptoms. At Porter Elite Care Services, Claudia Porter works with you to treat and manage your PTSD, reducing the frequency and intensity of your intrusive symptoms.

Claudia Porter may recommend exploring PTSD management with:

• Psychotherapy approaches like cognitive processing therapy (CBT)
• Medication management
• Mindfulness and self-soothing techniques

With the right support, you can reclaim your life from PTSD, finding healing and renewed wellness.

If you’re struggling with symptoms of PTSD, schedule your initial consultation at Porter Elite Care Services and start working with Claudia Porter today. You can book an appointment online or over the phone.