What are the signs of PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that can develop in people who have experienced a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist attack, war or combat, rape, or other violent personal assault.
It’s characterized by the following signs and symptoms:
- Intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings about the traumatic event
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Feelings of sadness, fear, or anger
- Feeling detached or estranged from people, including friends and loved ones
- Desire to avoid events with crowds, loud noises, or other aspects that mimic the original trauma
Symptoms of PTSD often develop within three months of the traumatic event, though they can appear much later, too. PTSD can cause significant problems with day-to-day tasks and work and may lead to other problems, such as substance abuse, depression, memory problems, and other physical and mental health issues.
How is PTSD treated?
PTSD treatment involves psychotherapy and medication, either individually or as combined therapies. Depending on your situation, one or both of these options may be best for you.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy primarily uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to address PTSD symptoms. CBT may include:
- Exposure therapy
- Cognitive restructuring
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
- Prolonged exposure (PE)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Stress inoculation training (SIT)
Medications for PTSD
The most common types of medications used to manage PTSD symptoms are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Other medications may be recommended depending on your specific symptoms.
The team at Austin Ketamine Clinic may recommend low-dose ketamine infusions to relieve PTSD symptoms and provide relief more quickly than other therapies or medications.
How can ketamine help to treat PTSD?
Ketamine is an analgesic drug used in emergency rooms for chronic pain. It can also be used for emotional disorders, including severe depression and PTSD. In clinical trials, ketamine has been shown to be effective for the treatment of PTSD by producing significant and efficient reductions in PTSD symptoms.
Ketamine reduces PTSD symptoms by blocking the N-methyl-D-antagonist (NMDA) receptor in the brain that receives pain signals. By blocking pain signals, ketamine improves neurocognitive outcomes, which means it helps your brain and nervous system function more normally.
This reduces symptoms of pain and emotional distress while also decreasing physical side effects, such as a racing heart, increased blood pressure, and sweating.
Find out if you can benefit from ketamine for your PTSD symptoms by scheduling a visit at Austin Ketamine Clinic online or by phone now.
