Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that affects many people throughout the United States and across the world. PTSD can occur after exposure to a traumatic event and may force the person to keep reliving the trauma through flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. These symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder can be debilitating and make daily life challenging.
At Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital in West Bloomfield, Michigan, we offer posttraumatic stress disorder treatment for adolescents and adults to help them learn how to manage their PTSD symptoms and rediscover a life of happiness and contentment.
Signs & Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
The signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder can begin within the first month after a traumatic event, but other times, they may take years to develop. PTSD signs and symptoms may manifest as intrusive memories, changes in thinking or mood, and avoidance. While posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms can vary from person to person, there are some common signs to watch for. Examples of common posttraumatic stress disorder signs and symptoms include:
- Recurrent, distressing memories of a traumatic event
- Having flashbacks of the event
- Repeated nightmares
- Avoiding places, people, or activities that may trigger thoughts of the event
- Negative thoughts about oneself
- Memory problems
- Feeling detached from friends and family
- Becoming easily startled
- Having difficulty sleeping
- Inappropriate anger and aggression
The intensity of PTSD symptoms can vary depending on the length of time since the event and can fluctuate based on certain environmental factors.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Causes & Risk Factors
Experiencing, seeing, or hearing about a traumatic event can cause posttraumatic stress disorder to develop. PTSD causes can include actual or perceived threats of death, violence, or injury.
Events that have been known to lead to the onset of posttraumatic stress disorder include:
- Exposure to combat
- Terrorist attacks
- Physical abuse in childhood
- Sexual violence
- Physical violence
- Car accidents
- Life-threatening injuries
- Natural disasters
- School shootings
Not everyone who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event will develop PTSD. The exact cause of posttraumatic stress disorder in some cases is unclear, but certain factors may play a role.
Posttraumatic stress disorder risk factors may include:
- Experiencing prolonged trauma
- Having a previous traumatic event happen in childhood
- Having co-occurring mental health conditions
- Use of drugs or alcohol
- Professions that increase exposure to trauma, such as first responders and military personnel
- Having a family history of mental health disorders
Effects of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
The effects of posttraumatic stress disorder can cause damage to many areas of your life, including your employment, relationships, and physical health.
Effects of untreated PTSD can include:
- Isolation
- Unhealthy relationships
- Difficulty maintaining a job
- Trouble in school
- Violent behavior
- Substance use
- Co-occurring disorders
- Suicidal ideation
- Self-harm
- Suicide attempts
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Statistics
Posttraumatic stress disorder is sadly not an uncommon mental health disorder.
About 6% of the United States population will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also reported that 8% of women in the United States will struggle with PTSD at some point in their lives.
Another study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that 15%-43% of female adolescents experience trauma, resulting in approximately 3%-15% developing PTSD. In terms of adolescent boys, the study showed that approximately 14%-43% experience trauma, and 1%-6% of them ultimately suffer from PTSD as a result.
Benefits of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment
The symptoms of PTSD can make it difficult to accept the trauma that occurred and prevent you from moving forward in life. Untreated posttraumatic stress disorder can also put you at risk for developing symptoms of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Those who have untreated PTSD may also be at a greater risk for harming themselves and death by suicide.
By receiving treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder, you can gain control of your symptoms and live a more satisfying life.
Therapies Used in PTSD Treatment at Our Michigan Hospital
At Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital in West Bloomfield, we provide comprehensive posttraumatic stress disorder treatment that utilizes evidence-based techniques. The types of evidence-based treatment modalities our team uses within a person’s PTSD treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing, among others.
The process of PTSD treatment can vary for each person depending on their unique background, symptoms, and goals for treatment. During the admissions process at our PTSD treatment center, you will complete an assessment with one of our team members so that they can learn about your symptoms and create an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Depending on your personalized treatment plan, you may receive the following services during your time at our West Bloomfield, Michigan, hospital:
- Medication management services: Sometimes, medication can help people manage the symptoms they are experiencing. However, medication is not recommended for everyone. If you and your treatment team decide that medication can be beneficial to your overall treatment process, you will have the opportunity to meet with one of our nurses daily for medication management services.
- Individual therapy: Individual therapy sessions offer adolescent and adult patients time to meet one-on-one with a social worker at our PTSD treatment center. This gives patients a safe space to speak freely about any struggles they’re facing and track the progress they are making in treatment.
- Group therapy: Group therapy is the main method of treatment we use at our posttraumatic stress disorder treatment center. Social workers lead group therapy sessions, which can consist of process groups, psychoeducation groups, and skills development groups. Patients discuss many topics in group therapy, like trauma, self-esteem, coping skills, and healthy boundaries.
- Family therapy: Adolescent patients can receive family therapy weekly. Adults also have the opportunity to participate in family therapy, but these sessions are scheduled on an as-needed or as-requested basis.
- Experiential therapy: Experiential therapies offer patients an opportunity to work through the challenges they are facing in a setting outside of talk therapy, which can be extremely beneficial in the therapeutic process. We offer recreational therapy, art therapy, and music therapy.
Our team is also able to provide basic medical care when necessary. The need for medical care is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Compassionate Treatment Team
The professionals at our West Bloomfield hospital are dedicated to helping patients be successful in their treatment process. We know that seeking PTSD treatment requires courage, and we are here to support you throughout your healing journey.
While in the inpatient program at our posttraumatic stress disorder treatment center, you may have the chance to work with a variety of professionals, including:
- Psychiatrists
- Social workers
- Psychiatric nurse practitioners
- Mental health technicians
- Family medicine physicians
- Art therapists
- Music therapists
- Recreational therapists
- Dietitians
Our team works hard to ensure that adolescent and adult patients develop the coping skills they need while receiving ongoing support and encouragement so that they feel equipped to return to daily life once they leave our treatment center.
Choosing the Right Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Center
Choosing the right posttraumatic stress disorder treatment place can be challenging. When deciding where to receive treatment for PTSD, you’ll want to consider the levels of care offered, the treatment team you’ll be working with, and the therapy techniques used.
At Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital, we offer several levels of posttraumatic stress disorder treatment to ensure that we meet your unique, age-specific needs. The PTSD treatment center you choose should provide you with personalized services that address the underlying cause of your symptoms.
When you choose to receive care at Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital in West Bloomfield, Michigan, you can take control of your symptoms and find a happier, healthier future.
Learn More
If you would like to learn more about posttraumatic stress disorder treatment, the services we offer, our admissions process, or what insurances we accept, please contact us today. Our intake specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you start your healing journey.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital.