For people who survive frightening or painful events, it is normal to feel shaken for a while. However, for some people, the fear and memories do not fade over time. Instead, they can start to make everyday life feel unsafe and challenging. You may feel constantly on edge, numb, or disembodied in certain situations that remind you of the past event. Children, in particular, can be deeply affected by trauma, with the experience becoming imprinted in their minds long-term. This can be especially difficult for parents to help their children cope with.
The inability to move past frightening or painful events that took place in the past can be a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With PTSD treatment in McLean, we can help you, your teenager, or your child understand what happened and begin to feel safe again. As a concierge mental health practice, our team of psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, licensed clinical social workers, and psychologists comes together to ensure that you feel comfortable, respected, and taken seriously.
PTSD treatment in McLean begins with fully understanding your symptoms. Symptoms of PTSD can include: things like
Once we understand your symptoms, we work as a team to build a plan that moves at a pace that feels manageable for you. Your safety and comfort come first with every step of this journey.
In many cases, talk therapy is recommended as a starting point in the treatment of PTSD. Other approaches, such as prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy, can help you face and work through painful memories and feel more in control when those memories arise. Medication can also play a role, including certain antidepressants that are FDA-approved for the treatment of PTSD.
Because PTSD is rooted in past experiences and can affect your ongoing life, we strongly believe that care should look at the whole person. Our McLean practice approaches PTSD treatment from a team perspective. In particular, we believe strongly in integrating therapy and psychiatric care, in addition to providing social support and other services that can help you move forward with your life.
Our vision is to integrate your comprehensive care plan within our practice so that you do not have the burden of coordinating care among several separate providers. As a concierge practice, we take the time to get to know you, and we have the capacity to provide care that aligns with your goals. This is why parents often feel especially confident using our practice for the treatment of teens and young adults. There is reassurance in knowing that a full care team is providing support, especially when dealing with a condition as sensitive as PTSD.
The aftermath of a traumatic event can leave you feeling tense, anxious, exhausted, alone, and isolated. Learning to confront these past events without fear and overwhelming emotional reactions is something that can be taught in the right setting, where you feel supported and safe.
Our team is ready to help you feel safe and take control of your life again. Give our office a call when you are ready to take the next step toward PTSD treatment in McLean and overcoming your trauma to live your life again without fear and anxiety.
