Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) causes long-lasting feelings and emotions after a traumatic event, often leading to overwhelming fear or panic that suddenly appears in response to triggers even after the truama is over. At Mind and Body Medicine in Boise, Idaho, dual board-certified psychiatric mental health and family nurse practitioner Dr. Tamara McDonald, DNP, provides integrative care, working closely with each person to help them deal with the trauma and break PTSD’s hold on their life. Call the office or connect online today to request a telemedicine or in-person visit for PTSD treatment.

Why do I have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

PTSD begins after you experience or witness a frightening or life-threatening experience. The intense trauma overwhelms your brain. Instead of dealing with the trauma and emotions, your brain tucks the details into your subconscious and stays in survival mode, giving rise to PTSD. 

The traumatic experiences that commonly lead to PTSD include:

• Combat duty
• Gun violence
• Physical assault or abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual violence
• Robberies or home invasions
• Accidents (car, plane, boat, etc.)
• Death of a loved one
• Natural disasters (hurricanes, tornados, etc.)

While many people develop PTSD after a major event, multiple traumatic experiences also cause the condition. For example, living through months or years of ongoing emotional abuse may cause PTSD.

How will I know if I have PTSD? 

PTSD is diagnosed when your symptoms last longer than one month after the traumatic event. You’ll experience at least several of the following symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Depression (negative thoughts, hopelessness, sadness)
• Flashbacks or nightmares
• Isolation from family and friends
• Irritability and anger
• Easily startled or frightened
• Uncharacteristic aggression
• Difficulty sleeping
• Memory loss
• Guilt or shame
• Avoidance 

Avoidance is a common symptom that occurs when you stay away from the people, places, and events that trigger memories of the trauma.

Symptoms like depression and anxiety may be a constant challenge. Flashbacks and sudden aggression may occasionally appear out of the blue, but they usually have a trigger.

Why do my PTSD symptoms flare up?

Your brain records the details associated with the traumatic event (sights, sounds, smells, etc.) and stores them in your subconscious. As you go about your daily life, you may come across a person, place, or activity that has a similar detail, and then it triggers your memory.

You’re suddenly flooded with intense emotions like you had during the trauma. You may have a flashback, feel unexplainable anger or fear, or engage in aggressive behaviors that are not typical for you.

How is PTSD treated?

At Mind and Body Medicine, Dr. McDonald provides skilled medical and mental health care for PTSD in person or via telemedicine. After learning about your symptoms and completing a diagnostic evaluation, she discusses your goals and collaborates with you to create a treatment plan.

Dr. McDonald may prescribe medications to manage your PTSD symptoms. She also specializes in trauma-focused motivational interviewing and behavioral and lifestyle coaching.

Call Mind and Body Medicine today or request an appointment online to get help for PTSD symptoms.