About PTSD Treatment
Addressing PTSD symptoms and long-term management can help you regain your quality of life. Early intervention is crucial, so if you or a loved one are experiencing PTSD, seek mental health treatment for it right away.
Long-term management prevents symptoms of PTSD from returning and supports ongoing mental well-being.
PTSD often occurs after frightening or overwhelming events in a person’s life, like:
- Combat service
- Natural disasters
- Severe car accidents
- Sexual assault
- Childhood abuse
- Verbal, physical, or sexual abuse
- Witnessing death of a loved one
- Loss of a loved one
- Pregnancy loss
If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD in Florida, don’t wait. Reach out to Mark Behavioral Health for compassionate and evidence-based care. Our team is ready and willing to help you navigate your mental health journey.
What Happens During PTSD Treatment?
PTSD treatment sessions offer a highly structured approach to address symptoms and provide essential coping strategies.
Here’s what typically happens in a PTSD program:
Residential Treatment
You can choose either residential treatment or outpatient treatment programs. Residential programs offer the most intensive care, as you’ll stay at the treatment facility for the duration of treatment.
Here, you’ll receive daily monitoring, therapy sessions, case management, group support, counseling, and much more.
The residential treatment program at Mark Behavioral Health is optimal for people who are battling life-threatening symptoms of PTSD, such as suicidal ideation.
Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions in PTSD treatment are designed to help you process your experiences and reduce the impact of trauma on your daily life.
Techniques Used
Therapists may use various techniques to address the different factors and events that may have contributed to your PTSD, such as sexual assault or combat.
Common methods include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Both techniques focus on helping you reframe traumatic memories and decrease distress.
Medication Management
Some people benefit from medications that target PTSD symptoms like anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Medications can be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
For effective medication use, though, you will need to closely monitor dosage, side effects, potential for adverse reactions, and how the meds are working. That’s where medication management comes in.
Group Therapy
Sharing experiences with others who understand can be incredibly healing. Group therapy offers a supportive environment where you can connect with others and learn from their journeys.
PTSD Treatment at Mark Behavioral Health
At Mark Behavioral Health, we provide a range of proven treatments for PTSD. This includes both therapy and medication options, all with a trauma-focused care approach.
Our team of experienced professionals is committed to offering customized care and support for people dealing with PTSD.
We know that everyone’s experience with PTSD is different. That’s why we collaborate closely with our guests to create a holistic treatment plan that addresses their individual needs.
Core services we offer that set our mental health care facility apart:
- Trauma-informed care
- Grief therapy
- CBT
- DBT
- Nutritional counseling
- Therapy for sexual assault survivors
- Psychoeducation
Evidence-Based Treatments for PTSD
No matter where you choose to get treatment, be sure it’s backed by research and clinical trials. This will give you the highest chance of long-term recovery.
The following are research-backed (evidence-based) treatment methods for PTSD.
PTSD Medications
Medications help with managing PTSD symptoms. They help reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Here are the most common medications prescribed to people with PTSD:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Also called antidepressants, these are often the first line of treatment. Fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft) are common examples.
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Venlafaxine (Effexor) is an SNRI used to treat PTSD.
- Other medications: For some, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers are necessary. These medications address more specific symptoms like severe agitation or mood swings.
Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is another effective treatment for PTSD. It involves working with a therapist to process traumatic experiences and learn coping methods.
Talk therapy can happen one-on-one (individual therapy) or in a group setting (group therapy). Each has different benefits, and both are effective in addressing PTSD.
There are a number of forms of talk therapy, including CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing.
Some of the key benefits of psychotherapy include:
- Better understanding of symptoms
- Development of healthy coping strategies
- Regaining a sense of control your life
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) focuses on altering negative thoughts and beliefs linked to the traumatic event. This type of cognitive behavioral therapy helps you understand your trauma and its impact on your thoughts and feelings.
CPT typically involves 12 sessions and is effective in reducing symptoms and improving mental health.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Prolonged exposure therapy helps people confront their trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations. This in turn helps reduce the distress these memories cause.
This type of therapy involves repeated exposure to trauma cues in a safe environment. The goal of prolonged exposure therapy in PTSD treatment is to decrease avoidance behaviors linked to trauma reminders.
Therapy sessions with prolonged exposure often include:
- Imaginal exposure: repeatedly recalling the traumatic event
- In vivo exposure: gradually facing real-life situations that you avoid
- Processing: discussing your thoughts and feelings about the trauma
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR combines exposure therapy with guided, side-to-side eye movements, known as bilateral stimulation. This technique aims to help the brain process traumatic memories more effectively.
EMDR involves recalling traumatic experiences while following the therapist’s finger movements. This often leads to a reduction in trauma-related distress.
Benefits of EMDR include lessening the impact of PTSD symptoms and reducing the frequency of them.
Complementary Therapies for PTSD Treatment
Complementary therapies can enhance traditional treatments for PTSD. These therapies often focus on reducing stress and improving overall well-being.
Some effective complementary therapies you may find in Florida include:
- Acupuncture: This ancient practice involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. It can help reduce anxiety and stress, which are common in PTSD.
- Yoga: Practicing yoga can improve mental health by promoting relaxation and mindfulness. It helps individuals manage symptoms like anxiety and depression.
- Transcendental meditation: This silent mantra practice occurs in three 15- 20-minute sessions per day and works well for the treatment of PTSD in veterans.
Using these therapies alongside conventional methods may offer a more holistic approach to managing PTSD symptoms.
Long-Term Management for PTSD
Managing PTSD long term involves having support, ongoing care, and the right coping skills. For this reason, it’s a good idea to take part in therapy and support groups.
These resources help you maintain progress and manage symptoms over time — not just during treatment.
Developing healthy coping mechanisms and self-care routines can help you prevent relapses and reduce the impact of triggers when you experience them.
Examples of healthy coping methods for PTSD include:
- Regular exercise
- Mindfulness meditation
- Creative outlets like art or music
Staying connected with a strong support network is also essential. Friends, family, and mental health professionals provide ongoing emotional support and guidance.
Managing PTSD over the long term also means knowing how to prevent it when possible and avoiding relapse. This involves recognizing early warning signs and seeking help as soon as you know the symptoms are returning or worsening.
Creating a balanced lifestyle that helps you address mental health problems as they come will set you up for success in the long run and lead a more fulfilling life.
Benefits of PTSD Treatment
PTSD can disrupt your daily life, from your sleep, to your school or work performance, to your relationships with others. Getting a diagnosis of PTSD can be daunting, but treatment can greatly help.
Seeking PTSD treatment offers numerous benefits for both you and your family members:
- Understanding the traumatic events: While you may never ‘get over’ the event, treatment can help you cope and make sense of it as best you can.
- Develop skills: The most important aspect of PTSD, perhaps, is to learn how to confront and manage your symptoms as they come.
- Reducing symptoms: Treatment can greatly lessen the severity of PTSD symptoms, making it easier for you to manage your daily life.
- Enhanced mental health: Participating in therapy can improve not only PTSD but symptoms of other mental disorders as well. This can lead to a better quality of life.
- Taking control: Effective treatment empowers you to take back your life, setting goals at a pace that you can handle.
- Support for families: Treatment not only benefits you but can also have a positive impact on your family. It helps loved ones understand PTSD, resulting in stronger support systems and improved relationships.
People experience both PTSD and treatment very differently, so treatment outcomes will vary. Yet if you participate in treatment, remain committed to your recovery, and seek professional support, lasting recovery is possible.
Cost of PTSD Treatment
Understanding the cost of PTSD treatment before ever entering a program means you won’t run into hidden costs and surprises along the way.
The cost of your care may vary based on the type of program you choose (residential, outpatient, therapy, etc), your insurance coverage, and other factors.
Long-term therapy or specialized care can lead to substantial costs. However, when deemed medically necessary through a PTSD diagnosis, much of the costs for care may be covered by your health insurance.
How much you pay out of pocket can be affected by your individual plan, your deductible and any co-pays, and other factors.
Mark Behavioral Health offers financial payment plans to help Florida residents access necessary mental health care.
Resources for Seeking PTSD Care and Support
To set yourself up for successful long-term management of PTSD, you can call on a number of supportive resources once you leave treatment.
If you are a veteran, you may be able to access resources through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
No matter how you came to experience PTSD, there are resources available to help in Florida, including the following.
VA Resources
The VA offers treatment options, helplines, financial assistance, supportive programs, and much more for veterans and their families.
Veterans can find specialized treatment programs tailored to their needs. Peer-to-peer counseling services offer support from those who have shared similar experiences.
You can also find a wealth of information and links to further PTSD resources on the VA website.
Other PTSD Resources
For those seeking help outside the VA system, these options are also available:
- Stress management techniques for PTSD: Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises can help manage stress. You can ask your therapist about these techniques, or even find information online.
- Crisis helplines: Find immediate support for PTSD through crisis helplines. They offer a listening ear and can guide you to appropriate resources. Examples include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Crisis Text Line.
- PTSD Coach App: Created by the VA for veterans in need of immediate help with PTSD, the app is available to anyone facing PTSD symptoms and coping with substance use or other harmful behaviors. It provides helpful ways to manage symptoms and useful information.
Get Personalized PTSD Treatment at Mark Behavioral Health
When dealing with PTSD, a comprehensive treatment approach is crucial. It’s not just about addressing immediate symptoms but also managing those symptoms throughout your life.
At Mark Behavioral Health, we prioritize both aspects to help our clients achieve lasting wellness.
To support your mental health care needs, we offer evidence-based therapies tailored to treat PTSD and other mental health conditions. Our experienced team works closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your unique situation.
We’ll also provide a full clinical assessment to identify any other mental illness symptoms or substance abuse issues — that way, we can treat all aspects of your health at the same time.
For comprehensive care in a welcoming environment, reach out to our Florida-based treatment center today. You don’t have to let PTSD keep you from living the life you want.
Call now or fill out our form and we’ll help with the rest.
