PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) causes intense emotional flashbacks that can affect your quality of life and increase your risk of depression and other mental health problems. At Cactus Serenity Integrated Health Services in Glendale, Arizona, Annalyn Rasul, PMHNP-BC, and Amber Nassif, FNP-C, provide complete PTSD care. After a psychiatric exam, they make personalized treatment recommendations to minimize symptoms and help you feel better. Call Cactus Serenity Integrated Health Services to schedule PTSD treatment, or book your appointment online today. 

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that affects some people who witness traumatic events. It commonly causes anxiety, negative thoughts, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. 

PTSD affects people of all ages and backgrounds, but certain groups are more susceptible. For example, PTSD is common in military veterans, first responders, and other individuals who work dangerous, potentially life-threatening jobs. 

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD symptoms include:

• Nightmares
• Intrusive thoughts, like repeated involuntary memories
• Flashbacks of the traumatic event (for example, a severe car crash)
• Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event
• Avoiding talking about what happened or how you feel
• Ongoing fear
• Memory loss
• Feeling detached from others
• Inability to experience positive emotions
• Irritability and angry outbursts
• Being easily startled

As the condition worsens, you might experience thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

How is PTSD diagnosed?

There isn’t a specific test that diagnoses PTSD. Instead, your Cactus Serenity Integrated Health Services provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and has you complete a survey about your mental health and history of trauma exposure. Answer the questions honestly. The team won’t judge you, and your answers guide treatment.

Talking about trauma isn’t easy. If it helps, bring a friend or family member to your appointment. Having someone you know to support you can make the process less intimidating, so you can get the help you need. 

After gathering the necessary information, your provider compares your symptoms to the criteria for PTSD in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). If you meet the criteria, you have PTSD, and the team makes personalized treatment recommendations. 

How is PTSD treated?

The Cactus Serenity Integrated Health Services team treats PTSD with a conservative and integrative approach. They could suggest:

• Psychotherapy, a type of counseling that teaches you how to manage your emotions
• Cognitive processing therapy to help you confront distressing memories
• Prolonged exposure therapy to help you face your fears and learn to cope
• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety medications

Most PTSD patients benefit from several of these treatments. Your provider monitors your symptoms at regular checkups, adjusting your care plan as needed.

Call Cactus Serenity Integrated Health Services to schedule PTSD treatment, or book your appointment online today. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) causes intense emotional flashbacks that can affect your quality of life and increase your risk of depression and other mental health problems. At Cactus Serenity Integrated Health Services in Glendale, Arizona, Annalyn Rasul, PMHNP-BC, and Amber Nassif, FNP-C, provide complete PTSD care. After a psychiatric exam, they make personalized treatment recommendations to minimize symptoms and help you feel better. Call Cactus Serenity Integrated Health Services to schedule PTSD treatment, or book your appointment online today.