PTSD Treatment
PTSD TreatmentIf you are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, while it cannot be cured, it can bemanaged. You do that by creating a treatment plan with your healthcare team. That might includetherapy, medication or both.“I was seeing a therapist once a week.”-Jason, PatientJason Lowman is an Army veteran living with PTSD. He was injured during a training exercise beforeheading to Iraq. The injury got worse overseas and he was brought home.“I learned that the best treatment for me was to stay busy and doing something constructive.”-Jason,PatientFor Jason, that meant taking his love of the guitar and joining a music program with other vets.“Playing the guitar and making something sound good and sound cool is kind of like a relief for me.And it just makes me feel good about myself.”-Jason, PatientDana is also living with PTSD. She was sexually assaulted in high school. Back then, she didn’t realize howthe attack had affected her.“So much of what stopped me from getting help was shame.”-Dana, PatientShe started therapy a few years ago and those negative thoughts and feelings came out.“As I look back now I can see that the outcome of that was that I really stopped trusting myself. Istopped trusting my own instincts about people. I stopped allowing myself to be really angry.”-Dana,PatientThere are many different types of psychotherapy that can be used to help people with PTSD. One type iscalled cognitive processing therapy. It targets the negative thoughts you’re having as a result of yourtrauma, by getting you to talk about it.“It’s really important to try to identify what are some of those dysfunctional beliefs that they have thatare associated with the changes of behavior, of avoidance and not participating in emotionalexperiences.”-Dr. Chad Wetterneck, PhD, Clinical PsychologistAnother therapy used to treat PTSD is prolonged exposure. This helps you face and reduce your fears byexposing you to the trauma you experienced but in a safe way.“We’re going to teach them that they can choose to be in that situation and then get them to see thatPage 1 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG5317498 EN PTSDTreatment.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPTSD Treatmenttheir anxiety is present but that they are not in danger and they don’t need to, they don’t need tofight anyone. They don’t need to flee the situation.”- Dr. Chad Wetterneck, PhD, ClinicalPsychologistThrough therapy, Dana realized she had to change how she dealt with her PTSD and the trauma ofsexual assault.“A lot of people deal with it by responding as though they’re in a violent situation and they have towin. And I responded for a long time, when I felt I was in a violent situation, I had to stop it. Andthat probably was less about winning and more about shutting down.”-Dana, PatientMedications can also be used as part of your treatment plan. The medicines target symptoms thatoften go along with PTSD, such as anxiety, depression or sleep problems.“And what those do is help the brain to remain calmer, not to let your thoughts spin out of control.It helps you to be able to focus.”-Dr. Martha Carlson, Clinical PsychologistYour mental health professional will help you decide what your treatment plan should include.“Some people are more prone to want medication. Some people would like to try psychotherapyand some want a combination of both. There are some people with PTSD, their symptoms are sohigh, it’s very difficult for them to engage in psychotherapy. So, you might start them out onmedication in order to give them some support.”- Dr. Martha Carlson, Clinical PsychologistOnce you find the right treatment plan, you can manage your symptoms and live a healthy life.“It’s hugely important that people keep doing what it is that they do to make them feel better andhelp them cope.”-Jason, Patient“Now that I have a better idea what’s going on with me, and that I’ve had therapy, and I have hadtreatment and I have this awareness…it’s like the sun shines more.”-Dana, PatientPage 2 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG5317498 EN PTSDTreatment.pdf© The Wellness Network
© The Wellness Network
