We All Experience Trauma, But Only Some Develop PTSD

Many associate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with a traumatic wartime experience.
They wrongly assume that it can only occur as an unwelcome parting gift for the select few who have bravely served our country. However, while PTSD is common in veterans, it’s actually also quite possible for it to develop in your average, everyday person, too.

At its core, PTSD is an emotional—and sometimes even physical—response to the memory of an experience so unpleasant that the mind and body decides to prioritize avoiding its recurrence over other essentials, like simply living a normal, productive life. This can cause any number of undesirable side-effects ranging from bad dreams, unpleasant flashbacks, unstable moods, and difficulty sleeping, to more dramatic responses like systematic avoidance of things that were once enjoyed. Because the experience was so unexpected, and so fundamentally conflicts with their perception of themself, it becomes nearly impossible to just forget it and move on. As a result, many lose control of their lives in an attempt to prevent that experience from ever happening again.

The lasting and negative effects of PTSD can make it impossible to live a happy, peaceful, and productive life. It should not be surprising to read that the negative impact of any unresolved emotion over a traumatic experience can have dire consequences for the person affected, as well as those closest to them. It is therefore highly recommended to seek help as soon as possible after a traumatic event.

With patience and perseverance, combined with medication and the professional guidance of a therapist, overcoming PTSD is very possible with time. While there are any number of ways to cope with pain and trauma, there have been some methods that have remained more popular than others. Most patients who are diagnosed with PTSD have reported finding luck with these four types of therapies:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Patients learn how to break their issues down into realistic, manageable pieces that they can overcome and move on from.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Patients learn to overcome their PTSD by being exposed to traumatic memories using different stimuli.

Exposure Therapy.

Similar to EMDR, but without alternative stimuli.

Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT).

Reduces the intensity and frequency of nightmares.

Ketamine Infusions.

An alternative approach that uses low doses of ketamine to promote the growth of new spinal dendrites in the brain, to encourage more malleable and adjustable memory pathways.

Emotional pain is difficult to describe, and even more difficult to source. That means that every treatment is a little different than that last. Because no two people have the same feelings, the most reliable treatment path is to safely try each option until adequate relief is found. Life has a way of giving us what we need, just when we need it. However, if that isn’t soon enough for you or a loved one, give our clinic a call today. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the treatment options that are available.

Contact Renew Ketamine

Renew Ketamine is Chicagoland’s leading ketamine infusion center, offering ketamine for migraines, as well as for depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to request a free consultation using the brief form below. We are happy to answer any questions regarding you or a loved one’s migraine, pain, or psychiatric treatment options.