For many people who experience traumatic events, the journey to healing can be overwhelming, challenging, and requires understanding, support, and appropriate therapeutic interventions. 

At Handel Behavioral Health, our highly trained and compassionate trauma-informed therapists are here to support people living with PTSD. You will find practical strategies, rooted in evidence-based interventions, to manage symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression that arise after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

If you or your loved one is suffering from PTSD, recovery is possible and professional support is available. 

Many of our therapists at Handel Behavioral Health offer trauma-informed therapy in Massachusetts to support your recovery and healing. 

To start working with one of our compassionate trauma-informed therapists online in Massachusetts or in-person from our Amherst, Natick, Franklin, West Springfield, or Wilbraham offices, contact us today at (413) 343-4357 or request an appointment online.

To learn more about the causes of PTSD, symptoms of PTSD, and treatment for PTSD please read on.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that people may develop as a result of experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. People of all ages and backgrounds can experience PTSD.

What are the Causes of PTSD?

While the condition was first recognized in war veterans, it’s not only diagnosed in soldiers. PTSD can occur to people who have experienced deliberate harm, such as physical or sexual assault. It can also occur to people who have had repeated traumatic experiences, such as childhood neglect or abuse, domestic violence, and living in a war-zone. 

Additionally, PTSD can develop at different stages of life. People may develop PTSD immediately following a traumatic event, or it might surface months or years later.

What are the Symptoms of PTSD?

While most people who experience a traumatic event have severe reactions such as anger, shock, nervousness, fear and guilt, people with PTSD experience their symptoms over a prolonged period of time. 

Symptoms of PTSD may appear within a month of the traumatic event, or they may not appear until years later. 

Symptoms of PTSD can include: 

Intrusion: Intrusive thoughts and feelings occur when something reminds a person of the traumatic event and the initial fear they experienced. Examples of intrusion can include: 

• Vivid flashbacks
• Intrusive thoughts or images
• Nightmares
• Intense distress at real or symbolic reminds of the trauma
• Physical sensations such as pain, sweating, nausea, or trembling

Avoidance: People who experience avoidance may attempt to avoid situations or people that trigger traumatic memories and feelings associated with the traumatic event. Examples of avoidance can include:

• Feeling the need to stay busy
• Avoiding anything that resembles the trauma
• Unable to remember details of the trauma 
• Feeling emotionally numb or cut off from emotions
• Feeling physically numb or detached from the body
• Unable to express affection
• Reckless or self-destructive behavior 
• Alcohol or drug use to avoid memories

Arousal and reactivity: People who experience arousal and reactivity may find themselves living with a heightened state of anxiety as a result of the traumatic event. Examples of arousal and reactivity can include:

• Panicking when reminded of the trauma
• Being jumpy or easily startled
• Easily upset or angry
• Extreme alertness, also known as “hypervigilance”
• Disturbed sleep or lack of sleep
• Irritability or aggressive behavior 
• Difficulty concentrating

Cognition and mood: People who live with PTSD may not experience nightmares and outbursts, but they may experience mood changes unrelated to the cause of the PTSD. Examples of cognition and mood changes can include: 

• Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
• Unable to remember the traumatic event
• Feeling unable to trust anyone 
• Feeling like nowhere and no one is safe 
• Feeling detached from others
• Feeling detached from their emotions
• Blaming themselves for the traumatic event
• Overwhelming feelings of anger, guilt, shame, and sadness 

While it’s natural to experience some of these symptoms for a few weeks following a traumatic event, if the symptoms above last longer and seriously affect your ability to function in everyday life, you may have PTSD. The sooner you start working with a trained mental health professional, the sooner that you can recover and heal.

What Does Treatment and Therapy for PTSD Involve?

Therapy for PTSD is an essential part of managing intense symptoms which may interfere with everyday life.

While there are many trauma-informed treatments for PTSD, some commonly used forms of therapy for PTSD include:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): An evidence-based therapy that focuses on the relationship between patterns of thought and behavior in the here and now. Rather than exploring the initial cause of PTSD, CBT helps you adjust and re-align negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors which may prevent you from healing and moving forward in your life. 
2. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): A specific type of CBT that typically involves 12 weeks of PTSD treatment. Your therapist will help you explore in detail what’s causing traumatic memories to resurface and you will learn how to cope with your symptoms effectively until they no longer disrupt your life. 
3. Prolonged Exposure Therapy: A type of therapy that intentionally situates you in a position where you have to explore your traumatic experience, rather than avoid painful memories, objects, or associations that remind you of the traumatic event. Your therapist will teach you breathing and relaxation techniques so that you can safely explore the traumatic experience. Over time, you will increase your tolerance to people, places, and situations that remind you of the traumatic event.
4. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): An evidence-based treatment for PTSD that involves recalling your traumatic experience while your therapist performs mechanical actions, such as flashing the lights, moving the hands, or creating sound. The goal is to reprocess how you think about the traumatic experience so that it can become distressing.

Medication for PTSD: A psychiatrist or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) may prescribe medications for PTSD if your symptoms are severely interfering with your everyday life and wellbeing. You will work with your provider to find the appropriate medication and develop a medication management plan to monitor your symptoms.

Start Working With a Therapist for PTSD in Massachusetts Today:

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with PTSD or if you have experienced trauma, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a trained mental health professional who can provide appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The sooner you begin to understand, accept, and learn to cope with PTSD, the sooner you can begin your path to healing and living with greater peace. 

Our highly trained and compassionate trauma-informed therapists in Massachusetts are here to help you navigate your way through distressing memories associated with your past trauma. 

To start working with one of therapists for PTSD online in Massachusetts, or in-person from our Amherst, Natick, Franklin, West Springfield, or Wilbraham offices, contact us today at (413) 343-4357 or request an appointment online.

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