PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a condition that can cause terrifying flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety issues. If you’ve been through a trauma and can’t get it out of your head, HumuHealth Psychiatry: Olukemi Kuku, DNP, PMHNP, can help. Dr. Kuku has considerable experience in helping people manage their PTSD symptoms and restore peace to their lives. Call the office in Fairfield or Pleasant Hill, California, or book an appointment online today.

What is PTSD?

Short for post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD can develop following a highly distressing experience or as a result of being in a long-term situation where you constantly feel threatened or frightened, such as childhood experiences. PTSD might start soon after the event, within a few months, or it may not develop until many years after the trigger events.

PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder that can cause symptoms such as depression, mood swings, outbursts of anger, extreme anxiety, and feeling jumpy or on edge. People with PTSD have vivid nightmares and relive their traumatic experiences over and over.

One of the key symptoms of PTSD is flashbacks, where you feel as though you’re back at the point where you experienced the trauma. These typically happen because of a trigger. For instance, a sudden squeal of brakes when you’re on the sidewalk could make you feel you’re back at the scene of a bad traffic accident.

Why do some people get PTSD?

Not all the people who come in contact with the influenza virus get the flu; similarly, not all people who have traumatic experiences develop PTSD. However, the reasons why aren’t fully understood.

PTSD develops due to the overwhelming emotional response to what you perceive as a significant trauma. Instead of the feelings of fear and horror fading away, they continue to haunt you when you have PTSD, significantly affecting your life today.

It’s normal to feel shaken, scared, and even shock or grief when you’re involved in a traumatic situation. These are typical human responses to extreme circumstances, but it can be hard to define a traumatic incident.

This is because what could be highly traumatic for one person has far less impact on another. What matters is your feelings about how traumatic any experience feels.

How is PTSD treated?

There are several potential treatment approaches for PTSD, but therapy is a vital part of any treatment program. Dr. Kuku has considerable expertise in using talking therapies to improve the symptoms of PTSD, manage your condition, and improve your self-esteem.

Cognitive behavioral therapies are often very effective in tackling PTSD. You might benefit from a course of CBT or CPT, cognitive processing therapy. Group or family therapy sessions could be helpful, too, depending on your situation.

Medications can also be a valuable part of recovery from PTSD. Dr. Kuku may prescribe medications that have proven to be effective such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or antipsychotics.

Find out how you can overcome PTSD by calling HumuHealth Psychiatry: Olukemi Kuku, DNP, PMHNP, or booking a consultation online today.