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Is it PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a trauma. The good news: PTSD is a highly-treatable condition and Nema can help.

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From trauma to PTSD

While it’s common to experience a stress reaction after a traumatic event, PTSD occurs when those symptoms fail to go away after one month.

Trauma occurs

83% of Americans have suffered a trauma—exposure to actual or threatened death or harm. Exposures can be events that happened directly to you, or those you witnessed happen to others.

Post-traumatic stress begins

It’s common for most people to develop a stress reaction after suffering a traumatic event. These reactions can include anxiety, avoidance, guilt, intrusive thoughts, and muscle tension. 

Symptoms continue, becoming PTSD

If symptoms linger for more than 1 month, it may be PTSD. With proper support and treatment from mental health professionals, recovery is possible. 

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What are PTSD symptoms?

Symptoms of PTSD are grouped into four primary categories:

1. Intrusive thoughts & flashbacks

  • Flashbacks: Vivid sensory experiences that feel like re-living the trauma again
  • Nightmares: Disturbing dreams related to a traumatic incident
  • Intrusive thoughts & emotions: Unwanted thoughts and emotions that pop into mind at any moment
  • Profound distress to triggers: Strong emotional or physical responses to reminders of a trauma

2. Avoidance

  • Dodging certain reminders: Avoiding places, peoples and cues (like smells) that are reminders of a trauma
  • Evading conversations and thoughts: Skirting around discussions and avoiding thoughts about the incident

3. Negative changes in thoughts & mood

  • Pervasive negativity: Feeling constantly angry, irritable, and disinterested in life
  • Anhedonia: An inability to experience positive emotions, such as happiness, hope, and creativity
  • Distorted beliefs: Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs of oneself, others, or the world (e.g., “I am bad,” “The world is a dangerous place,” or “It’s my fault it happened”) 
  • Emotional detachment: Feeling distant from loved ones and disconnected from oneself
  • Memory challenges: Difficulty recalling important aspects of an incident

4. Hyperarousal & alertness

  • Hypervigilance and startle response: A perpetual feeling of tension, being on edge, and worrying
  • Sleep disturbance: Challenges with falling or staying asleep
  • Heightened behavioral reactions: Increased irritable or angry outbursts at others
  • Concentration issues: Difficulties concentrating and focusing on tasks
  • Reckless behavior: Engaging in risky or dangerous behaviors, such as driving too fast and substance abuse

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Talk with a member of our team as soon as today.

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The Nema difference

Treating PTSD is what we do best. We only offer proven gold-standard trauma therapies, so that you can rest assured knowing you’re getting the best care possible. By offering therapy sessions several times per week, you can see results within weeks and get back to living your life again.

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FAQs

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us at [email protected]

What is trauma?

If you have come here because you have experienced trauma, you are not alone. American society is unfortunately afflicted by trauma, which is defined as an exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, and/or sexual violation.  There are several ways you can experience a trauma: the event can happen to you directly; you can witness the event in person; you can learn that a relative or close friend was exposed to a trauma; and/or you can have first hand repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the event (e.g., first responders, EMTs). A staggering 83% of U.S. adults have been exposed to a traumatic event.

How do you develop PTSD?

After a trauma, the majority of survivors recover on their own. However, some survivors will go on to develop symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of people or places that trigger intrusive memories, or self-blame related to the event.

Isn't PTSD only common among veterans?

Many people think of PTSD as an illness of war veterans, but PTSD is more common in civilians. Traumas such as sexual assault and domestic violence are actually more likely to cause PTSD than active combat. Women are also two times more likely to suffer from PTSD compared to men.