PTSD

Trauma can leave lasting wounds when not addressed. At Amazing Behavioral Health Services, LLC, in Parkville and Catonsville, Maryland, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and doctor of nursing Catherine Nwah, PMHNP-BC, DNP, and the team diagnose and treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people of all ages recovering from trauma. Schedule an in-person or virtual evaluation by calling the office or using the online booking feature today. 

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a condition that affects some people after a traumatic life event. It alters the way you think, feel, and behave and can diminish your quality of life when left untreated. Flashbacks and nightmares are hallmark signs of PTSD. If PTSD negatively affects your professional or personal life, see the Amazing Behavioral Health Services, LLC, team for an evaluation.

Which symptoms can PTSD cause?

PTSD can cause the following symptoms:

• Being startled easily
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Substance misuse
• Always being on guard for danger
• Avoiding things or places that trigger anxiety
• Distressing or intrusive thoughts and memories
• Guilt or shame
• Difficulty concentrating
• Angry outbursts
• Irritability
• Problems sleeping
• Forgetting some aspects of past trauma
• Ongoing worry or fear
• Self-destructive behaviors
• Detachment from other people
• Loss of interest in favorite things

PTSD can negatively affect your emotional well-being, job, school, and interpersonal relationships. 

What increases the risk of PTSD?

PTSD develops in 5-10% of people who experience traumatic events, such as:

• Car accidents
• Natural disasters
• Extreme injuries
• Life-threatening illnesses
• Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse
• Military combat
• Sudden loss of a loved one
• Being a first responder
• Getting bullied
• Witnessing violence
• Childhood neglect

Women are more likely than men to experience PTSD. Seek help from Amazing Behavioral Health Services, LLC, if you or a loved one have lasting negative effects after trauma. 

How does a therapist diagnose PTSD?

The Amazing Behavioral Health Services, LLC, team diagnoses PTSD and other mental health disorders by completing a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. They discuss past traumatic experiences and your medical history, symptoms, emotions, thoughts, moods, and behaviors before personalizing your treatment plan.

How is PTSD treated?

The Amazing Behavioral Health Services, LLC, team offers medication management and psychotherapy to treat PTSD. It’s also important to get enough sleep, minimize stress, eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, and maintain a strong social support network.

Your therapist offers cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), exposure therapy, group therapy, and other forms of therapy to help you better cope with past trauma and overcome problematic symptoms.

You might meet with a therapist in person or virtually each week (or as needed) by yourself or with your spouse or family. To achieve the best outcome, take any medications as directed and follow up with Amazing Behavioral Health Services, LLC, as needed.

Schedule a PTSD evaluation at Amazing Behavioral Health Services, LLC, by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.