Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition in which people involuntarily relive terrifying experiences such as military combat, serious vehicle accidents, and sexual assaults.

PTSD can involve symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares, but it also has deeper roots. People with PTSD may feel anxious, aggressive, and hyper-alert, or they may feel depressed, isolated, and numb. They may struggle to sleep or concentrate. While people with PTSD can often remember details of the traumatic event, they may also struggle to recall other memories, including specifics of the incident that brought on the disorder.

These are only a few symptoms of PTSD. Because it can manifest in so many different ways, it is wise for people with PTSD to speak with a professional counselor if they are struggling, whether or not they have been formally diagnosed.

Counselors work with clients to manage their anxiety and depression. They can also recommend strategies for coping with intrusive thoughts.

Post traumatic stress disorder can persist for years. It can interfere with daily life and contribute to other psychological disorders. It is important for people with the condition to seek help from an experienced mental health counselor.

Talk therapy can help people with post-traumatic stress disorder cope with intrusive thoughts and address underlying psychological issues.

Flashbacks may occur out of the blue, as in a nightmare, or due to stimuli that remind the person of the traumatic experience, such as being touched from behind unexpectedly. An experienced counselor can work with someone with PTSD to recognize when an episode is coming on. With practice, the client can endure the intrusive thoughts more calmly and recover more quickly.

A therapist can also discuss the anxiety and depression that may exacerbate post traumatic stress disorder. These issues may be related to the traumatic event or come from another place entirely. Each client is unique, but one person’s PTSD may be tied to feelings that life is out of control. Another may struggle with issues of guilt or worthlessness.

Talk therapy provides a safe place to understand and process the underlying mental and emotional conditions that help PTSD symptoms to persist. PTSD may also contribute to other health issues such as substance abuse. It is important that people with this disorder seek out therapists who are prepared to deal with all their concerns, rather than treat PTSD symptoms in isolation.

MindSol Wellness Center has PTSD therapists in Sarasota available to help clients struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Call the MindSol Wellness Center of Sarasota, FL today to schedule a therapy session. Our phone number is (941) 256-3725.