How Does Therapy Help PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after one has been exposed to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. 

It is commonly seen in war veterans but can happen to anyone who has been through a scary or dangerous situation such as sexual abuse, terrorist attack, accidents, etc.

A person suffering from PTSD can show various symptoms after the event. They may have trouble sleeping and concentrating. 

They often feel emotionally numb or have angry outbursts, feel detached from their own body, be constantly on guard for danger, or experience flashbacks of the original event. These symptoms can make it hard to hold down a job or enjoy once-pleasurable activities.

Thankfully, PTSD is a treatable disorder. Various therapies have shown successful results in treating PTSD and its symptoms.

After completing therapy, patients have been able to go back to their happy life. If you too are suffering from PTSD or know someone who needs help, here are the top benefits of various therapies that help PTSD.

Benefits of Therapy for PTSD

1. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy or counseling is the primary treatment for PTSD. Also called talk therapy, it is a great way to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and many other mental health disorders. 

There are a few different kinds of psychotherapy that have been proven to be effective for treating PTSD. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most well-known and widely used type of psychotherapy for PTSD. It helps people identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, which in turn reduces the feeling of anxiety or depression that patients with PTSD often feel.

By talking to a psychiatrist, one can learn a healthy way to process the trauma and use various techniques to deal with mood changes.

2. Medication Therapy

Along with psychotherapy, medication is also frequently used to help patients with PTSD. The medication targets the neurotransmitters in the brain that trigger anxiety or sadness. They also help regulate levels of various hormones like serotonin, dopamine, melatonin, and cortisol to improve sleep and mood.

Antidepressants commonly used for PTSD are paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline.

3. Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine is a drug that produces dissociative anesthesia, but it has also been used for decades to help people who suffer from depression. During the past few years, its use for PTSD has gained popularity among patients and medical professionals.

There are various reasons why ketamine has become so common to treat mental disorders

• It’s an effective treatment for chronic pain in patients who have PTSD
• It shows immediate results which are helpful in patients with severe symptoms like suicidal thoughts
• Ketamine works when even standard medications fail to treat PTSD

If you or someone you know suffers from PTSD, you may want to learn more about how ketamine can help relieve some of the pain associated with it. Ketamine for PTSD therapy in Austin is available at Austin Ketamine Specialists. 

Dr. Paul Foster and his team will work closely with your healthcare providers and psychiatrists to administer ketamine for PTSD and chronic pain management in Austin, Tx. So book a consultation at their clinic to know more about how the therapy can be helpful for you.