Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may affect one in 11 people at some point during their lives. If anxiety, depression, or distressing memories negatively affect your everyday life, help is available at Florida Behavioral Medicine of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. Psychiatrist Richard Smith, DO, offers evidence-based PTSD treatments to help you recover and restore your quality of life. Schedule an appointment with Florida Behavioral Medicine of Tampa over the phone or online today.
PTDS, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental health condition often triggered by a traumatic event like military combat, abuse, violence, accidents, or witnessing traumatic events. PTSD symptoms may subside over time or can linger for a lifetime without proper treatment.
You might have PTSD if you experience the following signs or symptoms.
With PTSD, you might startle easily, always be on guard, experience sleeping problems, or have angry outbursts. You may engage in self-destructive behavior, such as eating disorders or excessive drinking.
Risk factors for developing PTSD include:
To diagnose PTSD, a Florida Behavioral Medicine of Tampa psychiatrist reviews your symptoms and medical history. They ask questions about your emotional state and complete comprehensive physical and psychological evaluations to make a final diagnosis.
Your psychiatrist typically uses the VA protocol to treat PTSD. Your personalized, evidence-based PTSD treatment plan might include:
Your provider helps you cope with past traumatic events using psychotherapy or talk therapy. They might use cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing techniques to help you work through emotions and process trauma in an effective way.
Taking medications can reduce anxiety or depression associated with PTSD, increase your quality of life, and help you better cope with emotions. Florida Behavioral Medicine of Tampa uses pharmacogenetics to find a regimen that matches your genetic makeup.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a natural treatment for depression that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerves in your brain associated with mood control. The procedure is noninvasive.
Florida Behavioral Medicine of Tampa can refer you to PTSD support groups in your area to help you better cope with and manage symptoms.
Don’t let PTSD take over and diminish your quality of life when help is available at Florida Behavioral Medicine of Tampa. Schedule an appointment over the phone or online today.