Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder develops after exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. PTSD can occur following direct experience of trauma, witnessing trauma happening to others, learning that trauma occurred to a close family member or friend, or repeated exposure to traumatic details. The disorder is characterized by four symptom clusters that persist for more than one month and cause significant distress or impairment.

Intrusive symptoms include recurrent, involuntary distressing memories of the traumatic event, traumatic nightmares, dissociative reactions (flashbacks) where the person feels or acts as if the event is recurring, and intense psychological or physical reactions to reminders of the trauma.

Avoidance symptoms involve persistent efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, memories, or conversations about the traumatic event, as well as external reminders such as people, places, activities, or situations that trigger distressing memories.

Negative alterations in cognition and mood may include inability to remember important aspects of the trauma, persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world, distorted blame, persistent negative emotional states, markedly diminished interest in activities, feelings of detachment from others, or persistent inability to experience positive emotions.

Alterations in arousal and reactivity encompass irritable or aggressive behavior, reckless or self-destructive behavior, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, problems with concentration, and sleep disturbances.

At SNBCare, we treat PTSD using evidence-based approaches including trauma-focused psychotherapy methods such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), combined with appropriate medication management. Our treatment approach is patient-centered, trauma-informed, and designed to help individuals process traumatic memories, reduce symptoms, and rebuild their lives.