PTSD Therapy Specialist in Charlotte, Matthews NC

Many people will experience different symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in type and severity. Still, a few of the main symptoms to look out for include intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Intrusive memories cover all unwanted memories of the traumatic event that are recurrent, or feel as if the person is reliving the event through flashbacks, can include upsetting dreams or nightmares related to the traumatic event, and the experience of negative emotional or physical reactions to anything reminiscent of the traumatic event.

The symptom of avoidance is when the person who has experienced a traumatic event avoids talking or thinking about the event, as well as avoids places, people, activities, or anything else that may remind them of the traumatic event.

Negative changes in thinking or mood may be displayed as having negative thoughts about yourself, or those around you, feeling hopeless about the future, having problems with memory, struggling to maintain close relationships, experiencing detachment from friends or family, losing interest in previously enjoyed activities, struggling to experience or display positive emotions, and experiencing feeling numb.

The symptoms displayed with changes in physical and emotional reactions may include the
ability to be frightened or startled easily, feeling a constant need to be on guard for danger, displaying destructive behavior (substance abuse or excessive speeding), insomnia, struggling to concentrate, behavior that is aggressive, outbursts of anger, or irritability, and experiencing overwhelming feelings of guilt or shame.

Triggers for PTSD can include really anything that reminds you of the traumatic event in any way. The more common or obvious triggers could be sights, sounds, places, smells, people, or actions, though many people will also have intrusive thoughts that will be triggering of the traumatic event. Some triggers are more common or obvious than others, but any external factors or internal thoughts that remind you of the traumatic event are considered triggers.

How a therapist approaches treatment for PTSD will depend on the severity and cause of PTSD to ensure that the treatment is right for the patient. Some therapists may opt for use of cognitive therapy, which is a type of talk therapy that identifies the ways of thinking that are causing the patient to be stuck in their thoughts and behaviors such as negative beliefs about themselves or worry of reoccurrence of the traumatic event. Cognitive therapy is often used alongside exposure therapy for those suffering from PTSD.

Exposure therapy helps the patient to face situations or memories that are triggering or frightening in a controlled and safe environment to learn effective coping methods. This type of therapy is especially helpful for those who are experiencing flashbacks or nightmares. Another type of therapy that is commonly used for treating PTSD alongside exposure therapy is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) which enables patients to process traumatic memories with guided eye movements to change how they react to said memories.

Doing a quick google search for therapists in your area will help to narrow down who to reach out to, but you may need to call or even schedule meetings with therapists to ensure that they will be the right fit for you to provide the best care to suit your needs. It is very common for patients to see multiple therapists before they find one that they believe is a good fit, and it may take a few sessions before they feel comfortable opening up to the therapist regarding their PTSD.

Reaching Resolution offers a wide variety of therapies for all patients to ensure that there is someone here at our office that can help you address whatever you need. Ranging from child therapy to marriage counseling, with different approaches to therapy including cognitive, art, or music therapy, there are services offered to help anyone and everyone return to the best versions of themselves with the help of our highly qualified and skilled empathetic team (including our therapy dog, Jax). For more information, contact us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 9719 Northeast Parkway, Suite 100 Matthews NC 28105. We serve clients from Matthews NC, Charlotte NC, Mint Hill NC, Indian Trail NC, Pineville NC, and Stallings NC.