PTSD Treatment
Post traumatic stress disorder can feel like being trapped in a whirlwind of traumatic or painful memories and overwhelming emotions, but with proper treatment, healing and recovery are possible.
Wellness Psychiatry offers comprehensive PTSD treatment plans that combine medication management, lifestyle psychiatry, and compassionate care to help every client reclaim their life and find peace again.
Our goal is to help you process trauma and reduce PTSD symptoms as effectively as possible through personalized treatment approaches. Let us help you explore what PTSD is, recognize the signs, and show you how specialized PTSD counseling can restore your sense of safety and well-being.
What Is PTSD and Its Impact?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Unlike normal stress responses that fade over time, PTSD symptoms persist and can significantly interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life.
PTSD can develop from various traumatic experiences, including military combat, physical or sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, sudden loss of a loved one, childhood abuse, medical trauma, or witnessing violence—among other situations.
Complex PTSD is a more severe form that typically develops from prolonged, repeated trauma, especially during childhood. This condition involves additional symptoms beyond traditional PTSD, such as trouble with emotional regulation, self-concept, and interpersonal relationships.
Recognizing PTSD: Signs of PTSD to Watch For
Signs of PTSD can vary significantly between individuals, and symptoms may not always appear immediately after the traumatic event. Understanding these PTSD symptoms is crucial for recognizing when professional help is needed:
- Re-experiencing Symptoms: Intrusive memories or flashbacks, recurring nightmares, severe emotional distress when reminded of trauma, and physical reactions to trauma reminders.
- Avoidance Symptoms: Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the trauma, staying away from places or people that trigger memories, and inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event.
- Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: Persistent negative beliefs about oneself, distorted blame for the trauma, persistent fear or guilt, loss of interest in activities, feeling detached from others, and inability to experience positive emotions.
- Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions: Being easily startled, hypervigilance, self-destructive behavior, problems concentrating, sleep disturbances, and irritability or aggressive behavior.
What Sets Wellness Psychiatry Apart for PTSD Treatment
Finding the right PTSD counseling near Lexington can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with trauma symptoms. Dr. Angela Durham, MD, understands the urgency of trauma treatment and is generally able to see new clients within a week—much faster than clinics that accept insurance.
Dr. Durham offers flexible scheduling to accommodate the unique needs of trauma survivors, and appointment lengths can be customized for each client. Her specialized focus on lifestyle psychiatry with a medication approach allows her to treat complex PTSD and traditional PTSD with a comprehensive, multi-faceted system that addresses the whole person, not just symptoms.
Unlike traditional psychiatric practices that may focus solely on medication, Wellness Psychiatry recognizes that trauma affects every aspect of a person’s life. Our integrated treatment approach combines evidence-based therapies with lifestyle interventions to promote lasting healing and recovery.
Comprehensive PTSD Treatment Approaches
PTSD Counseling and Therapy Methods
PTSD counseling forms the foundation of effective trauma treatment. Evidence-based therapeutic approaches include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. These methods help process traumatic memories, change negative thought patterns, and develop healthy coping strategies.
PTSD Treatment with Lifestyle Psychiatry
While therapy and medication are important foundational treatments, lifestyle psychiatry plays a critical role in recovery. This approach includes:
- Physical Activity: Exercise releases endorphins and helps regulate the nervous system, reducing hypervigilance and improving sleep quality.
- Nutrition for Recovery: A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, and antioxidants supports brain health and emotional regulation.
- Mind-Body Practices: Meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness help trauma survivors reconnect with their bodies safely and develop emotional regulation skills.
- Sleep Restoration: Addressing sleep disruptions and nightmares are essential components of PTSD symptoms management.
- Social Connection: Building safe, supportive relationships helps counter isolation that often accompanies complex PTSD.
PTSD Treatment with Medication Management
Medication can be an important component of post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. Options include antidepressants for depression and anxiety, anti-anxiety medications for severe symptoms, sleep aids for persistent insomnia, and mood stabilizers for significant mood swings. Working closely with a psychiatrist ensures the right medication and dosage for your specific needs.
Begin Your PTSD Treatment Journey with Wellness Psychiatry
Living with PTSD or complex PTSD can feel isolating and overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Wellness Psychiatry’s comprehensive approach to PTSD treatment combines evidence-based therapies, medication management when appropriate, and lifestyle psychiatry to address trauma’s impact on your entire life.
At Wellness Psychiatry, we understand that healing from trauma involves more than just managing symptoms—it involves rebuilding a sense of safety to help you reclaim your life. With our flexible scheduling and extended appointment times, you’ll be able to receive the personalized attention and care you deserve.
Don’t let trauma continue to control your life: take the first step toward healing by scheduling your PTSD counseling consultation today. Our office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can schedule an appointment online or call (859) 210-2060 to get in touch with our team.
Wellness Psychiatry is located in Lexington, KY, and proudly serves Lexington, Nicholasville, Winchester, and the surrounding areas. Let us guide you on your journey toward recovery and help you reclaim the peace and stability you deserve.