PTSD Specialist

Instic Health

Psychiatry & Neurology Specialists located in Plant City, FL, New Port Richey, FL & Inverness FL

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing a traumatic or life-threatening event. Between 7-8% of Americans develop PTSD at some point during their lives. Board-certified psychiatrist Pragnesh Patel, MD, and the team Instic Health in Plant City, Inverness, Tampa, and New Port Richey, Florida, diagnose PTSD and offer holistic, personalized treatment to relieve your symptoms and restore your quality of life. Call the office or schedule a consultation online today if you think you may have PTSD.

PTSD Q & A

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that develops after you live through a traumatic event such as an active shooter situation, combat, or a personal assault. It causes various symptoms that disrupt your life and health.

While it's normal to feel anxious, fearful, or stressed after a traumatic event, those feelings usually subside with time. PTSD, on the other hand, becomes more severe and disruptive when left untreated.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD causes four distinct types of symptoms that range in severity.

Intrusive thoughts

Flashbacks and nightmares are two well-known types of PTSD-related intrusive thoughts. Your memories are often so vivid that you feel like you're reliving the event. Your intrusive thoughts are repeated, involuntary, and distressing.

Avoidance behaviors

You might start to avoid people, places, and situations that trigger your memories and intrusive thoughts. For example, if you were involved in a violent automobile collision, you might go out of your way to avoid the accident's location.

Over time, avoidance behaviors can severely limit your life. You might start to withdraw from friends or family, miss work, or develop other problems as a result of your avoidance tactics.

Negative thoughts

PTSD can also cause ongoing negative or distorted thoughts or beliefs about yourself or others. You might feel guilty about surviving or develop a distrust of other people, feeling like they're evil or a threat.

You might live with persistent fear, horror, or anger. Some patients also become detached from themselves and others, losing interest in previously enjoyed activities and withdrawing from loved ones.

Reactive symptoms

PTSD can also exacerbate your temper, making you irritable and prone to outbursts. You might behave recklessly, be easily startled, or have problems sleeping or concentrating.

How do you treat PTSD?

Instic Health provides customized treatment plans for PTSD, combining therapeutic modalities to relieve your symptoms and restore your health and quality of life.

They might combine medication, therapy, and lifestyle modifications in your treatment plan.

While medication helps regulate your brain chemistry and relieve your symptoms, you can devote your energy to exploring your memories, thoughts, and feelings in therapy. You can also learn coping techniques in counseling.

Instic Health might also recommend lifestyle modifications to enhance your overall health while you get treatment for PTSD. Eating a healthy diet, exercising every day, and getting enough sleep can help you feel better equipped to recover from PTSD.

If you feel like a traumatic experience is having a long-lasting effect on your mental health, call Instic Health, or make an appointment online today.