Have you experienced a traumatic event that still lingers in your mind? Do you find yourself struggling with overwhelming emotions, flashbacks, or anxiety related to the event? Are you wondering if it’s time to get professional help to reclaim control over your life?
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that affects nearly 4% of the U.S. adult population after a traumatic experience. The good news? There is help and hope, so you can enjoy your life once again.
At Red Bank Counseling, we offer PTSD therapy services in the Monmouth County, New Jersey, area. Through it, we can empower you to navigate the challenges of PTSD, as well as any co-occurring conditions, like anxiety or depression, so you can get on the road toward healing and recovery.
Understanding PTSD and Ways Therapy Can Help
PTSD is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It affects people differently, but for many, the distressing effects can be long-lasting, impacting their day-to-day lives. That’s where Red Bank Counseling can help with our PTSD therapy services in Monmouth County. Here’s what to know about PTSD, the different types of therapy available, and how they can benefit you.
What Is PTSD?
PTSD occurs when someone goes through or witnesses a traumatic event and struggles to recover emotionally from that experience. These events can include:
- Natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes)
- Acts of war or terrorism
- Serious accidents, injuries, or abuse
- Physical or sexual assaults
While the need for PTSD therapy is often associated with military veterans, it can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. Women are particularly more likely to develop PTSD than men.
Types of PTSD
PTSD can manifest in different forms, including acute PTSD, with symptoms lasting for less than three months after a traumatic event; chronic PTSD where symptoms persist for more than three months; complex PTSD, which is associated with repeated or prolonged trauma, like child abuse; and comorbid PTSD, where individual with the disorder also have other conditions, such as substance abuse or depression.
Symptoms of PTSD
People with PTSD can experience a range of different symptoms that require therapy. Some of the most common include:
- Intrusive thoughts: Flashbacks, nightmares, and disturbing memories of the traumatic event.
- Avoidance: Staying away from places, people, or activities that trigger memories of the traumatic event.
- Negative mood changes: Feelings of guilt, shame, or emotional numbness, or changes in mood and thought patterns, such as feelings of detachment or hopelessness.
- Increased reactivity: Being easily startled, feeling anxious or on edge, or having trouble sleeping.
- Physical symptoms: This includes headaches or digestive problems.
How PTSD Is Treated Through Therapy
Treatment for PTSD can bring relief, allowing individuals to regain control over their lives. Some of the most effective therapies for PTSD include:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR involves stimulating the brain through bilateral movements, such as moving the eyes side-to-side, to process traumatic memories. This method helps reduce the emotional intensity tied to the traumatic event.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
This therapy helps individuals with PTSD understand how they perceive the traumatic event and identify thoughts that are keeping them “stuck” in their recovery. By working through these points, clients can begin to heal.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This type of therapy for PTSD focuses on understanding the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Through CBT, individuals with PTSD can learn to regain control over their thoughts and emotions, leading to greater emotional resilience.
Get Relief From PTSD With Our Therapy Services
If you or someone you know is dealing with PTSD, contact Red Bank Counseling in Monmouth County, NJ, for PTSD therapy services. We are committed to helping individuals heal from trauma and move forward with their lives.