Signs and Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms are not the same for everyone. They can vary widely based on you, your level of trauma, and the type of traumatic event. Everyone reacts to traumatic events differently, and there is no right or wrong way to react to distressing and emotionally overwhelming experiences. If you have experienced trauma, whatever you are feeling is valid.
PTSD recovery can be a long road. Symptoms of PTSD are broken down into four main categories: intrusive, avoidant, reactivity, and negative mood shifts. Emotional signs of PTSD include feeling fear, sadness, anxiety, guilt, shame, anger, fear, or even emotional numbness. You may avoid people, places, or events that bring up triggers or negative emotions. Intrusive signs of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts or memories that trigger the traumatic memory to return to the forefront. The brain finds ways to cope with trauma, including dissociating or hyper-awareness of your surroundings.
Somatic symptoms of PTSD have to do with the body’s response to trauma. You may experience stomach issues, nausea, exhaustion or fatigue, shaking, sweating, an increased heartbeat, or muscle tension. Symptoms show up differently for everyone, and each emotional response to a distressing or traumatic event is legitimate. What is most important is that you understand you are not alone and that healing is possible.
What is a PTSD Treatment Center Near Atlanta, Georgia?
PTSD can be difficult to address; having a supportive and compassionate team behind you on your recovery journey is vital. A PTSD treatment center near Atlanta, Georgia, will provide you with resilience-building techniques and coping mechanisms in an environment that feels safe. Your care team will use trauma-informed techniques to ensure that you have the support you need.
PTSD centers near Atlanta, Georgia, like The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center, will work closely with you to create a treatment plan specifically for you and your healing needs. PTSD therapy will help you to safely delve into the distressing events of your past and come to terms with them so that you can move forward in your life. You will engage in mindfulness for trauma while learning skills for anxiety and stress management. Somatic exercises will be used to help you feel present and connected to your body. Depending on the format for treatment, you may receive support from peers undergoing similar challenges in group therapy settings.
PTSD counseling will help you unpack the traumatic events of your life while also working to improve and enhance your current life. While looking back to understand your trauma and how it has impacted you, you will also set goals and work towards a future full of power, resilience, and peace.