Types of Traumatic Events that Lead to PTSD
Several common events lead to the development of PTSD. These events include:
- Combat exposure
- Childhood physical abuse
- Sexual violence
- Physical assault
- Being threatened with a weapon
- Violent accidents
Other traumatic events may trigger PTSD. These events include fire, disaster, plane crashes, torture, mugging, and kidnapping.
A diagnosis of PTSD may pose significant challenges that are incredibly disruptive to other areas of your life.
What Other Issues Are Often Caused by PTSD?
PTSD will disrupt every important area of your life. This includes your occupation, personal relationships, health, and ability to enjoy daily activities.
Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety may accompany PTSD. This disorder’s challenges and feelings may further progress into additional mental health and mood disorders.
Substance and Alcohol Abuse
Dealing with PTSD will lead many individuals to turn toward substance and alcohol abuse. However, self-medicating only complicates the situation further.
Eating Disorders
PTSD may lead to eating disorders. This may include overeating to cope with emotions.
Suicidal Thoughts
One of the most common complications is suicidal ideation. When symptoms become too intense, individuals may display signs of being suicidal. Help must be sought immediately in these cases.
Because of the severity of PTSD, many individuals question if any form of prevention is available. Clearly, you can’t avoid the occurrence of a traumatic event, but can you prevent the onset of PTSD after the event?
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Effective Measures for the Prevention of PTSD
When individuals suffer from a scarring event, PTSD-like symptoms may manifest at first, but in a minor way. They may be unable to stop thinking about the event. Fear, depression, and guilt can all be normal reactions to a traumatic event.
However, most people exposed to large forms of trauma won’t develop PTSD on a long-term scale.
When you get sufficient assistance and support to cope with stress from getting worse, chances decrease that you’ll develop PTSD. Turning to family, friends, and loved ones who listen and allow you to vent can be a great source of therapy.
Seeking the services of mental health professionals for intermittent appointments can help. Many people turn to a spiritual or higher power for a source of strength.
Any form of support may help prevent you from coping in an unhealthy manner, like substance abuse or other destructive behavior.
Support from others also may help prevent you from turning to unhealthy coping methods, such as misuse of alcohol or drugs.
Our Treatment Programs for PTSD
Treating PTSD includes several options, including medication-assisted treatment and counseling services. There are no umbrella forms of treatment that cure PTSD, but individuals can find relief and recover with a mixture of appropriate therapies at Icarus. We also accept many forms of insurance coverage for PTSD and trauma disorder services, including Western Sky and other forms of Medicaid, to ensure our programs are as accessible as possible for those in need.
- Individuals will find relief in one-on-one counseling sessions and talk therapy. This is often the most effective form of treatment. It allows clients to vent and express their emotions regarding the event. Guided sessions allow clients to get to the root of feelings associated with the event and eventually allow them to process the events surrounding their trauma and begin to heal.
- Peer group sessions can also be effective in the treatment of PTSD because it give participants a sense of camaraderie. This has shown substantial benefits in cases of military veterans.
Multiple forms of PTSD and war veteran recovery groups exist in-person and online in the form of remote platforms. Additionally, trauma-based recovery groups for victims of various forms of violence and sexual assault can be significant pillars of strength.
At Icarus Behavioral Health, we specialize in providing the most important elements of treatment to assist in the recovery process. Contact one of our admissions specialists if you’re struggling with the negative consequences of a traumatic event.
FAQs on PTSD and Trauma Treatment
How Does PTSD Begin?
PTSD begins with individuals suffering a traumatic event or experience that causes significant negative consequences, including nightmares, flashbacks, and other issues. Symptoms may begin on a subtle basis and gradually increase over a period of years.
Is There a Cure for PTSD?
There is no cure for PTSD or any other mental disorder. Just like there is no cure for substance abuse disorder, effective treatments allow individuals to enter recovery, which can be considered a form of remission.
What Causes PTSD?
Common situations that cause PTSD include:
- War
- Violent assaults
- Sexual assaults
- Car accidents
- Death of loved ones
- Serious injury
Can Individuals of All Ages Suffer from PTSD?
Yes, PTSD can affect individuals of any age. This ranges from children to teens and young adults. There is no set demographic when it comes to individuals who suffer from this terrible disorder.