Many people will experience trauma in their lifetime, and, for some, it has a lasting impact. It may lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which typically requires professional mental health treatment.
Left untreated, PTSD and the effects of trauma can lead to other mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and suicidal ideation. These are complex concerns that can deeply affect your emotional well-being and daily functioning.
With expert PTSD treatment, patients can find healing from the effects of trauma and rebuild their lives. At Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, an affiliate of Fairview Health Services, our compassionate team provides comprehensive care for adults age 18 and older in St. Paul and throughout the Twin Cities area.
What Is PTSD?
PTSD involves a collection of symptoms that result from a traumatic event. In the case of complex PTSD, the trauma may have occurred as a series of experiences over a long period — often during childhood — that culminated in chronic mental health concerns.
While many distressing events in life can cause someone to feel negative emotions and even physical reactions to those emotions, PTSD is defined by its persistence. When symptoms continue for multiple months and disrupt daily life, the person may meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.
It is highly treatable, though. Through professional mental health treatment, a person who has PTSD can regain control of their life.
Causes of PTSD
Anyone can develop PTSD, but not everyone who experiences trauma develops it. Each individual’s response to trauma is unique. Certain types of traumatic experiences, such as military combat and sexual assault, are more closely connected with PTSD. The causal event may happen one time or repeatedly, as is the case with complex PTSD.
Traumatic experiences that may lead a person to develop PTSD include:
- Exposure to military combat and warfare
- Being the victim of rape or sexual violence
- Experiencing or witnessing a violent physical assault
- A serious car accident or other physical injury
- Living through an environmental disaster
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Witnessing traumatic events, including death or serious injury to others
- Emergency or life-threatening medical events
- The sudden death of a loved one
When you receive treatment for PTSD or the effects of trauma at Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, our compassionate professionals will help you come to terms with the underlying causes in a safe, supportive environment. They will take the time to understand your unique situation and guide you on the road to healing.
Statistics on PTSD in the U.S.
PTSD is relatively common, so you are not alone. Anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity, can have PTSD.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
- Around 3.6% of adults in the U.S. suffer from PTSD.
- Approximately 37% of people who have PTSD develop serious symptoms.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs adds:
- About 8 of every 100 women and 4 of every 100 men will struggle with PTSD in their lifetime. This difference is partly due to the fact that women are more likely to be the victims of sexual assault.
- Veterans are more likely to develop PTSD compared with civilians, and veterans who deployed to a war zone are also more likely than other veterans.
People who experience symptoms of PTSD may also struggle with depression, substance use disorders, and other mental health challenges. As a comprehensive behavioral health treatment center, we can meet your needs holistically.
Diagnosing PTSD at Our St. Paul Treatment Center
To receive a diagnosis of PTSD, you must have been experiencing symptoms in one or more of the following categories for more than a month. In addition, your symptoms must cause significant distress and disruption to your day-to-day functioning.
These are the four categories of PTSD symptoms:
- Reliving the event: This may include unwanted and involuntary thoughts, such as disturbing dreams, memories, or flashbacks, which can lead to panic attacks and persistent fear.
- Avoiding reminders of the event: You may avoid things that spark memories, such as certain people, places, activities, objects, and situations. You may shut people out and avoid talking about the experience or how you feel about it. Avoidance can stand in the way of everyday activities and harm relationships.
- Dealing with negative thoughts and feelings: Your symptoms may start with deep sadness and a loss of interest in activities and people you used to like. You might struggle with memory or find that memories are distorted. In addition, you may develop beliefs that affect your outlook on life, such as, “I cannot trust anyone ever again.”
- Feeling “on edge”: Clinically known as hyperarousal, this state can make you feel irritable or wound up. You might find yourself mistreating people you love, behaving recklessly, becoming easily startled, or struggling to concentrate.
Symptoms may appear right after the traumatic event, or they may take weeks or months to emerge. They can persist for months or years if you don’t receive appropriate treatment.
Finding Support at Our PTSD Treatment Center in the Twin Cities
When you are ready to seek treatment for PTSD, simply contact us to begin the assessment process. Our professionals will take the time to fully understand your circumstances and the state of your health.
Our clinicians will review your situation, and, if we decide that our PTSD treatment center is the right place for you, we will tailor a treatment plan to meet your needs.
Potential benefits of receiving PTSD treatment include:
- Fewer intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and nightmares
- Greater ability to manage and express your emotions
- Healthy coping strategies and a better ability to deal with stress
- Restored and stronger connections with family and friends
- Increased self-esteem, confidence, and resilience
- Enhanced ability to handle everyday tasks and responsibilities
Patients typically stay in our inpatient program for seven days, but your healing journey may differ depending on your needs and goals. We believe that you can overcome the negative impacts of the trauma you experienced and live life to the fullest.
Our Approach to Care for PTSD & the Effects of Trauma
At Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, we tailor your care to your needs. Your PTSD treatment plan may include:
- Medication management services
- Group therapy focusing on coping skills, trauma effects, triggers, and establishing healthy boundaries
Group therapy sessions are integral to our treatment process. They can be a great source of support and validation. Our team will guide you through group discussions in which patients may share their stories. Many people find it deeply validating and healing to connect with others who are going through similar challenges.
As part of the healing process, we encourage you to prioritize self-care and seek social support. Rebuilding healthy routines and habits may also help you progress toward long-term healing.
How To Help Someone You Love Who Has PTSD
When someone is living with the symptoms of PTSD, their whole social circle can feel the effects. If a relative or close friend has PTSD, it can feel frustrating watching from the outside. The person may actually refuse help when you try to talk to them. However, just knowing that you care might lead the person to open up when they are ready. Here are some things you can do to help them:
- Learn about PTSD to better understand and support them.
- Remind them that their symptoms are not a personal failing but part of a psychiatric condition.
- Tell them that you are ready to talk anytime, even if that time is not now.
- Encourage them to connect and remember that they have a network of support.
- Support their choice to seek professional treatment when ready.
At Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital in the Twin Cities, we see each patient as a whole person, not just someone who has experienced trauma. Our team provides compassionate support to help people who have PTSD live happy, full lives.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, an affiliate of Fairview Health Services.
