Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that affects people after they go through a traumatic or life-threatening situation. PTSD causes a range of symptoms that affect daily life. Board-certified psychiatrist Renée Kohanski, MD, provides comprehensive and holistic care for patients with PTSD at RK Psychiatry Associates in Somerset, New Jersey, and Mystic, Connecticut. For help with PTSD, call the office nearest you or schedule a consultation online today.
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a mental health condition that occurs after someone goes through a traumatic event. That might include military combat, a natural disaster, or a car accident.
Any threatening traumatic event triggers changes in the body, making you feel on edge or anxious. In most cases, these feelings go away over time.
However, in people with PTSD, the symptoms caused by the trauma continue and get worse over time. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. People with less support following trauma or a history of mental health problems are more likely to develop PTSD.
Additionally, not everyone with PTSD goes through a traumatic event. Some people have PTSD after a friend or family member goes through a traumatic event. A death of a loved one may also trigger PTSD.
PTSD symptoms vary in type and severity. However, they fall into four distinct categories. For a PTSD diagnosis, you must have symptoms from all four categories for a month or longer.
Flashbacks and nightmares are examples of re-experiencing symptoms of PTSD. The flashbacks people experience feel real and trigger physical symptoms like heart palpitations.
People with PTSD may find themselves avoiding situations, places, or people who remind them of their trauma. These avoidance symptoms may affect their daily routine.
Feeling on edge, insomnia, and angry outbursts are arousal and reactivity symptoms. In people with PTSD, these symptoms are constant.
Cognition and mood symptoms with PTSD may include difficulty remembering the event or feeling guilt or shame about the event.
You can expect a comprehensive evaluation when you see Dr. Kohanski at RK Psychiatry Associates for PTSD. She takes a holistic and integrative approach to psychiatric care, evaluating your physical, psychological, and social well-being. All of these factors influence your overall health and your mental wellness.
Dr. Kohanski also does psychiatric medication genetic testing for medication management. You may benefit from psychiatric medications to ease your PTSD symptoms. With genetic testing, Dr. Kohanski can determine what medication and dose work best for your body, providing faster relief with fewer side effects.
Dr. Kohanski customizes your PTSD treatment plan, addressing the root cause of your pain and putting you on the path to recovery. Your plan may include psychotherapy, medication management, or both.
For compassionate PTSD care from an experienced psychiatrist, call RK Psychiatry Associates or book online today.