Unmasking PTSD: A Powerful Call for Awareness
PTSD isn’t always visible, but it’s very real. People living with #PTSD often face stigma, despite the immense strength they show on a daily basis. Let’s join forces to #UnmaskPTSD, and create a safe space for people and families affected by this condition.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It can cause debilitating symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, depression, and anxiety. Raising awareness of PTSD is essential in order to help those affected by the disorder understand their condition and seek the right treatment. Furthermore, it helps to reduce stigma surrounding PTSD and provides support for those struggling with it. By understanding what PTSD is, its symptoms and signs, we can work together to create a better world for those suffering from this debilitating disorder.
Marion VA PTSD Clinical Team
The PTSD Clinical Team at the Marion VA is a specialty program for veterans who have a diagnosis of and active symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to a combat trauma, military trauma or military sexual trauma. PCT offers trauma-focused psychotherapies which are the most highly recommended type of treatment for PTSD.
We offer four of these psychotherapies and for each one you will meet with your therapist once a week, for 60 to 90 minutes. Treatment usually lasts for about 12 weeks.
The four therapies we offer are Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, COPE which integrates Prolonged Exposure and Relapse Prevention for substance use disorders and Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD.
Below is a testimony from an anonymous Veteran who completed Cognitive Processing Therapy in our PCT program.
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When I started the CPT program, I was in a pretty bad place with myself. I had gotten to the point where I was angry at everything all the time, for no actual reason. I had no self-esteem. I was stuck in a negative feedback loop where I was depressed because I was unable to sort my own thoughts, and I couldn’t sort my own thoughts because I was depressed. I was a wreck, and I was becoming more and more self-destructive over it.
The therapy itself wasn’t what I expected. There’s real homework that requires some effort, but it isn’t a lot. The homework gave me a way to organize my thoughts and really focus on my own traumas and rationalize them so that I can try to get back to a healthier mental state. Working with the process allowed me to understand and overcome the insecurities that my own traumatic events imprinted on me.
The treatment isn’t a perfect cure, and I don’t think any does exist. I still have my challenges and still have to continue working through my own traumas after completing the program. This program has given me the tools to manage the condition in much healthier ways, by myself, and I think that’s the most important part. I was hesitant when I started, and had my doubts in the beginning, but I know that I have improved throughout the program and I’ve found myself improving daily now that I know how to manage, and that made the program worthwhile. I recommend anyone who feels like they are struggling to try it, because I know it works.
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You can find more information on these therapies at www.ptsd.va.gov
If you feel our program would benefit you, please reach out to any of your VA providers. A consult will then be placed to PCT so that we can evaluate and discuss the best therapy option for you.
Understanding the Different Types of PTSD and How They Are Treated
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after you experience a traumatic event. It can have a significant impact on your life and can be difficult to cope with. Understanding the different types of PTSD and how they are treated is essential for those who are affected by it.
There are four main types of PTSD – acute, chronic, complex, and delayed-onset. Each type has its own unique set of symptoms and treatment options. It’s important to understand the differences between them in order to find the best approach for managing your condition. Treatment may include psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of all three. Coping strategies such as mindfulness meditation and relaxation techniques may also help you manage your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.