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PTSD in Military Veterans

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

PTSD in Military Veterans

By: Mercedes Renter

What does PTSD stand for? Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health disorder which often develops after someone goes through or sees a life-threatening event. The symptoms of PTSD tend to start soon after the traumatic event but may not appear until months or years later. There are four common symptoms of PTSD. The first symptom is reliving the event which can feel very scary and real. Nightmares can occur as well as flashbacks and you may see, hear, or smell something that can remind you of the event. The second symptom is avoiding things that remind you of the event. For example, for veterans they may avoid gun ranges when they are not deployed because it can trigger past emotions. The third symptom is having negative thoughts and feelings which did not occur before the traumatic event. An individual suffering from PTSD can feel numb or may think the world is full of danger and have a hard time with trusting anyone. The fourth symptom is feeling on edge which can lead to having a hard time falling asleep, find it hard to concentrate, or even become startled by a loud noise or surprise.

There are lifestyles changes that can help a veteran cope with post-traumatic stress disorder. Interacting with trauma survivors and other veterans who have experienced PTSD can be beneficial. Additionally, exercising can be helpful by providing a steady schedule into your everyday life. Eating healthy and spending more time with loved ones are also healthy habits that can help cope with post-traumatic stress disorder. These are all helpful changes for an individual suffering from PTSD because it allows a positive change in their daily life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with Post-traumatic stress disorder please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrics, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling and Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively at (201)-368-3700 or (212)-722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny/com

Reference: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp

PTSD: Not Just for Veterans

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

ptsd

PTSD: Not Just for Veterans

By Jessica Burgess

While you may have heard about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) before, you may have only heard it associated with veterans and war events. The truth is, anyone of any age can suffer from PTSD if they have witnessed or experienced a scary event. Every year, about 5.2 million Americans suffer from PTSD. Some events that might trigger PTSD include:

  • Sexual abuse or assault
  • Combat
  • A violent crime
  • A plane crash or car accident
  • A natural disaster like a hurricane, tornado, or fire
  • Or any life-threatening event

Symptoms of PTSD can include:

  • Lack of trust in others
  • Nightmares about the event
  • Avoidance of places or things that remind you of the event
  • Being on the lookout for danger constantly

On average, PTSD starts about 3 months after the event but some people do not have signs until years later. The length of recovery also varies with some recovering in 6 months and others taking much longer to recover. The best way to treat PTSD is to talk to your mental health professional.

If you think you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of PTSD, speak with one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychotherapists. Contact us at our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 respectively to set up an appointment. For more information, visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health. (2016). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Real Illness (NIH Publication No. 00-4675). Bethesda, MD; U.S. Government Printing Office.

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