PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that comes from psychological and emotional trauma. If you’ve had a distressing experience in the past and are struggling to cope, visit the Dr. Calm practice in Beverly Hills, California, led by board-certified internist Kiran Dintyala, MD, for expert treatment. Make an appointment today by phone or book online.

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder caused by a potentially life-threatening experience, causing severe fear and distress. Trauma doesn’t always cause PTSD. You might, instead, develop anxiety or depression, or you may recover without any mental health issues.

However, if you suffer from PTSD, the effects can be life-altering.

What causes PTSD?

Any trauma you experience can lead to PTSD. Most associate PTSD with people in the military or civilians who have been in war zones. But the condition can occur from many other types of trauma, including:

• Car accidents
• Sea, air, or railroad crashes
• Terrorist attacks
• Mass shootings
• Street violence
• Floods
• Earthquakes
• Burning buildings

You can also suffer from PTSD if you went through a volatile, emotional, or difficult divorce. PTSD can also stem from childhood events, such as sexual abuse.

Some traumas happen in one instance that may last minutes, hours, or days, but other occurrences like neglect and abuse can go on for years, resulting in PTSD.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD can affect you in several different ways, including:

• Nightmares
• Angry outbursts
• Intrusive thoughts
• Social withdrawal
• Inability to work or study
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Distrust
• Increased irritability
• Reckless behavior
• Relationship difficulties

Those with PTSD usually suffer from haunting flashbacks of the trauma. The memories of the moment(s) can become so intense that you feel like you’re reliving what happened. The flashbacks occur suddenly, usually due to a triggered response, such as someone’s voice, a sound, or a smell that takes you back to that moment.

How is PTSD treated?

The Dr. Calm practice offers a holistic approach to helping you with your PTSD. They take the time to learn about the root cause of your condition and help you work through it with specific strategies, such as trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

They also offer the PET system, a customized stress relief program tailored to your specific needs. It involves coaching and providing personal guidance for three months to help you live a peaceful, joyful life. It’s an environment where you can heal and make progress in a short amount of time.

If you have symptoms of PTSD or know a loved one who might be struggling with this condition, call Dr. Calm today. You can also book an appointment online as a convenient option.