70% of adults in the United States have gone through at least one traumatic event in their life. After something traumatic, it’s normal to have difficulty coping with the emotions you experience. Some people will find that their symptoms only get worse with time – this means that they may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Fortunately, with treatment and lifestyle changes, even those with the most severe cases of PTSD may be able to find relief from the symptoms of their condition.
PTSD Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of PTSD vary from person to person, often depending on factors like the nervous system and how a person tolerates stress. Typically, the symptoms first appear in the days or weeks following the traumatic event, but in some cases can take much longer – even years – to appear.
PTSD symptoms can be triggered by things that remind you of the original traumatic event, but they also may appear seemingly out of nowhere.
PTSD symptoms can generally be split into four subtypes:
- Intrusive memories and flashbacks to the traumatic event, as well as intense reactions to anything that reminds you of the trauma.
- Avoiding anything that reminds you of the trauma, difficulty remembering parts of the trauma, a loss of interest in things, and a feeling of emotional numbness
- Hyperarousal, which includes anything from irritability, trouble sleeping, hypervigilance (being on alert all the time), being easily started, angry outbursts, and self-destructive behavior.
- Negative changes in thoughts and actions such as feeling alienated and alone, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and feelings of depression, hopelessness, mistrust, guilt, or self-blame/
PTSD Causes and Risk Factors
Factors known to sometimes contribute to the development of PTSD include the following:
- Stressful experiences
- Previous traumatic events
- Family history of PTSD
- History of abuse
- Substance abuse
- Personal history of depression or other mental health condition
- Overall temperament and the way your brain responds to stress
How To Help PTSD
PTSD can make the future seem especially hopeless, but there is in fact always hope for relief thanks to old treatments and new advancements in the field. Traditional treatments, like antidepressants, as well as innovative new techniques, like ketamine infusions, may be important resources on your path to recovery.
Ketamine for PTSD Treatment
Ketamine has been used for decades as an anesthetic and pain reliever, but in recent years is being used as a powerful and rapid-acting treatment for mental health conditions, such as PTSD.
Research seems to indicate that ketamine plays a role in the treatment of mood disorders through its interaction with the neurotransmitter known as glutamate. Glutamate is a powerful neurotransmitter that mediates the body’s response to stress and traumatic memories.
To learn more about ketamine and its use as PTSD treatment, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
