People who experience an upsetting event often have nightmares, memories, or flashbacks when exposed to a different traumatic situation. Examples include mass shootings, earthquakes, or a bombing. You may have a loved one who shows signs of PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder. When that happens, a person’s nervous system may go into overdrive as the body finds itself going through the same emotions and reactions from the original event. Support and treatment can be found at Northern Illinois Recovery Center, so reach out today at 855.786.1978.
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What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health issue that can trigger physical and emotional reactions in a loved one when they witness or experience something that terrifies them. Individuals dealing with PTSD may have a hard time coping and adjusting to what they’ve gone through.
Some people have PTSD that is severe enough to interfere with their ability to function. You may notice your loved one having difficulty holding down a job or managing basic tasks like going to the grocery store. They can learn to manage the symptoms of PTSD with the right treatment.
What Causes PTSD?
Many people end up with PTSD after going through an event where their lives were at risk or suffered significant physical or emotional harm. Your loved one may have developed the condition from a variety of complex factors, including:
- A stressful experience
- Having a family history of mental health issues
- Having a temperament that may be prone to developing PTSD
- The chemical makeup of your hormones and other chemicals in your body
Fortunately, our counselors and therapists can help individuals through our PTSD treatment program.
What Are Common Signs of PTSD?
Symptoms of PTSD can be different from person to person. Your loved one may start showing signs of PTSD within a month or two of their traumatic experience. However, years can pass before a person starts exhibiting PTSD symptoms, which can include:
- Recurrent memories from or flashbacks of the traumatizing event
- Anxiety or a constant state of fear
- Nightmares arising from the situation
- Physical reactions or emotional distress when something happens that prompts reminders of the trauma
- Unwillingness to think or talk about the trauma
- Staying away from places that might trigger memories of the traumatic event
- Problems maintaining relationships
- Emotional numbness
- Being easy to startle or frighten
- Feelings of shame or guilt
- Problems sleeping
- Abusing drugs or alcohol
- Acting out in self-destructive ways
The intensity of PTSD symptoms can ebb and flow over time. Your loved one may have periods where there appears to be nothing wrong. The sight of something or a random sound can be enough to bring on PTSD symptoms.
Individuals who find themselves unable to escape from disturbing thoughts about their traumatic experience can benefit by seeking professional help. Talking to a mental health specialist can be the first step in helping your loved one get their life under control before their PTSD symptoms get worse. You should encourage your loved one to seek help immediately if they start expressing thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
How Can You Treat PTSD?
If your loved one’s PTSD is severe enough to impact their quality of life, they may benefit from enrolling in a treatment center designed to treat their issues. Northern Illinois Recovery Center offers counseling services and other forms of treatment to help clients work through symptoms of PTSD. Many of our clients with PTSD benefit from various forms of psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy.
We also offer programs to help treat other mental health issues that can arise or contribute to substance use disorder, such as:
If you think that our treatment center may be the right place for your loved one, feel free to call Northern Illinois Recovery Center at 855.786.1978 for more information about our services.
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