Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious anxiety disorder that is brought on by memories of an extremely stressful event. It’s often associated with people who have been exposed to war or terrorism, but PTSD can result from any traumatic experience such as childhood trauma, physical abuse, or living through a natural disaster.
Symptoms of PTSD include nightmares or flashbacks, feeling shell shocked or numb, and being particularly sensitive to loud noises or other stressful stimuli. It’s normal to feel stress and experience some of these symptoms after a traumatic event. However, when these symptoms linger, fail to resolve themselves after a period of time, and start to interfere with your daily routine, you should seek professional help and a proper diagnosis.
PTSD is not a one-size-fits-all mental illness. Not all people present with the same needs or symptoms, and no one treatment approach works for everyone. Conventional treatment options of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medications are useful in helping patients with PTSD, however they are not the only tools in the toolbox.
Mental health professionals are increasingly embracing a wide range of complementary and alternative PTSD treatment techniques. These include integrative and holistic solutions such as massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga and meditation. These techniques have been proven to help reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mental well-being, so it is no surprise that they have had a positive impact on those suffering from PTSD. Massage therapy in particular can reduce cortisol and increase levels of serotonin and dopamine. This in turn decreases feelings of hyper-arousal and anxiety.
By taking a holistic, integrative approach and using these alternative treatment methods, treatment plans for PTSD have become more successful. They not only have the potential to reduce dependency on medication, but also promote a positive experience and break down the stigma of seeking professional help.
Alleviant Health Centers focuses on finding and healing the root of your PTSD. We offer a holistic approach that treats all aspects of your well-being as we create a path to healing that is individual to your needs. This includes comprehensive psychiatric care and, for treatment-resistant mental health conditions, ketamine infusion therapy.
We are here to help you regain control of your life and reach your highest good. Reach out to request an appointment at Alleviant Health Centers of San Diego today.