The Takeaways:

-             Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more common than many realize, affecting up to 6% of U.S. adults at some point in their lives

-             PTSD exists on a spectrum of severity and can be exacerbated by life stressors, making it sometimes hard to distinguish from everyday stress

-             The experience of PTSD problems is unique to each individual, manifesting in various ways that can feel vastly different from person to person

-             The encouraging news is that PTSD can be efficiently and effectively treated with therapy 

What Does Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Look Like?

Consider this story:

“I’m here for sleep problems.”

“I’m glad you’re here. Can you tell me when the problems began?”

“I was in a car accident years ago and have had nightmares and now I dread driving. My doctor told me I might havePTSD and so did the neurologist I’ve been seeing for sleep.”

“Has anyone ever told you that PTSD can be efficiently and effectively treated with therapy?”

“Really? No.”

At Catalyst Psychology, we’ve worked with many individuals, including veterans and victims of crimes or accidents, who have described challenges such as:

- Sleep problems

- Frequent anxiety

- Unexpectedly high levels of anger or guilt

- Elevated heart rate

- Inability to relax with family or friends

- Nightmares

- Difficulty with attention, memory, and concentration

- Irritability that strains relationships

- Headaches and chronic muscle tension

These individuals often recognize the onset of their issues following a specific traumatic event or series of events. Given that up to 6% of U.S. adults will meet the criteria for PTSD at some point, this is not surprising.

However, many of these individuals are unaware that there are effective, evidence-based treatments for PTSD. At Catalyst Psychology, we aim to change that. We have strong, scientifically-backed approaches for treating PTSD that are both efficient and effective. These treatments not only alleviate the symptoms listed above but can also enhance trust, connection, intimacy, sleep, work performance, and even help with management of chronic pain and migraine.‍

Tailored Treatment Approaches

Just as the symptoms of PTSD are unique to each person, so are the traumatic events that cause them. Combat trauma, car crashes, assaults, or childhood traumas can all lead to different stress-related problems. The good news is that regardless of the nature of the traumatic event or the age at which it occurred, there are research-backed tools that can help.

 The two gold-standard treatment approaches for PTSD are cognitive challenging and exposure-based treatment. AtCatalyst Psychology, we customize the treatment approach to meet each individual’s needs, preferences, and goals through a collaborative process.

If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of PTSD, know that effective help is available. Contact us at Catalyst Psychology, and together we'll work to achieve your goals and reclaim your life.

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