Common Questions about PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects many people who’ve experienced a scary or traumatic event. Even though fear after such an incident is a normal reaction, that fight-or-flight response can continue to affect your life long after the initial experience.

At Klarity Clinic, Henry Liang, DO, understands the long-lasting impact PTSD and its symptoms can have on your life. He is the first to bring ketamine infusion therapy to those who struggle under the weight of PTSD and other mental health disorders.

To help you better understand what you or a loved one with PTSD is going through, read through some of the most frequently asked questions about the disorder.

What triggers PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder can be triggered by any traumatic event. As everyone perceives life differently, the original trigger of PTSD symptoms can be anything.

Some of the most common triggers for PTSD include:

• War
• Death
• Sexual abuse
• Natural disasters
• Personal accidents

You may also experience PTSD symptoms from long-term physical abuse or neglect that dates back to your childhood.

What symptoms may indicate someone has PTSD?

Just like the traumatic experiences vary from person-to-person, so too do the symptoms of PTSD. Many of the symptoms associated with PTSD are similar to those of other mental health conditions and can include:

• Depression
• Negative thoughts
• Persistent anxiety
• Difficulties controlling anger
• Loss of interest in usual activities

People with PTSD can also experience flashbacks unexpectedly, causing them to relive traumatic events of their past. All of these symptoms can lead to disrupted sleep patterns, isolation, and thoughts or actions of self-harm or suicide.

Is PTSD a long-term disorder?

If PTSD symptoms are properly diagnosed and treated, the condition can become chronic and long-lasting. Treatment can help you better cope with your emotions and fears, especially if you stay engaged in therapy to directly address the root trauma.

For some, PTSD symptoms fade gradually over time, even without treatment. However, without proper care, symptoms can also worsen over time and pose a serious threat to your mental, emotional, and physical health.

Why do I have PTSD but my friends and family don’t?

Many factors contribute to your risk factors for PTSD. Individuals react differently to the challenges of life, and your risks for PTSD and other mental health disorders rely on contributing factors like your family history, your genetic background, and your own value and belief system.

Your personal support system likely differs from another person’s, and your personality may influence how you seek support from others after trauma.

PTSD isn’t a weakness, but rather it’s a complicated mix of factors that affect how you think, feel, and behave.

Is PTSD treatable?

With the professional guidance of the Klarity Clinic, you can find both relief of your existing symptoms and learn the coping tools you need to manage your condition.

In addition to participating in talk and behavior therapy, the team at Klarity Clinic can use infusions of ketamine to help you overcome the challenges of PTSD and enjoy a higher quality of life. Ketamine works directly on the brain, specifically increasing glutamate neurotransmitters and forming new brain synapses that allow your brain to heal.

In fact, ketamine has been shown to offer immediate results, with many people experiencing noticeable symptom reduction within just 24 hours of treatment.

To learn more about PTSD and the benefits of ketamine and other therapies in treating the disorder, contact the Klarity Clinic nearest you by phone or by using the online booking feature today.