Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition caused by trauma, occurring after a particularly distressing event, such as military combat, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, violent assaults, or serious road accidents.
We understand that living with PTSD can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life, which is why Priory specialists at nationwide hospitals and wellbeing centres can discuss your situation, and talk you through the various treatment options available and devise a treatment plan towards helping relieve symptoms of the disorder.
If you are diagnosed with PTSD, alongside panic attacks and related symptoms, you will frequently relive the scenes in your mind, appearing as nightmares or flashbacks, which may be accompanied by feelings of loneliness, irritability, and sometimes guilt if you feel there was something you could have done to prevent the harrowing events from unfolding.
PTSD can be successfully treated, even if your symptoms appear some time after the initial trauma, with the type of treatment offered depending on the severity of your symptoms and how soon they have appeared after the event.
You may experience symptoms of PTSD immediately after the distressing event has occurred, although a small number of people have a delay in onset of symptoms for months or even years. When these symptoms do occur, they may happen constantly, and severely affect your ability to function most days, although some people with the condition can go extensive amounts of time without noticing any issues, before symptoms ultimately flare-up.
Treatment for PTSD
To assess whether you are suffering from PTSD, you may be required to undergo structured interviews and psychological assessments. The symptoms of PTSD must also last for at least a month before treatment options are considered.