Trauma can severely affect your mental health and the way that you
react to certain events. If you’ve gone through a particularly
terrifying event, you may develop post-traumatic stress disorder,
also known as PTSD. PTSD may include flashbacks, severe anxiety, and
nightmares. It can be difficult as you cope and adjust to the
aftermath of this event, but it does begin to get better with time
and the proper care. With the help of our psychiatrist Dr. Germaine
Hawkins, we can create a treatment plan that gives you proper ways to
cope and function on a daily basis.
Dealing With PTSD
Getting the treatment that you need after developing PTSD is crucial to being able to improve your quality of life. Symptoms might start within a month of the traumatic event but can also take years to develop. When left untreated, these symptoms can make it hard for you to participate in social situations and can make relationships difficult.
Common symptoms that may occur include:
- Recurrent memories of the traumatic event
- Flashbacks
- Severe emotional distress to reminders of the event
- Avoiding talking about your trauma
- Negative thoughts about yourself
- Feeling detached from family and friends
- A lack of interest in hobbies you once loved
- Emotional numbness
PTSD can manifest differently in each person and can vary in intensity. Often, PTSD is associated with veterans, but it can happen to anyone that undergoes a traumatic event.
Working with a psychiatrist can help you find ways to cope and handle these feelings. Often, being able to talk through the event can help you come to terms with what you endured. Your psychiatrist may also recommend medications to help stabilize your mood and help you avoid severe symptoms.
Contact Our Psychiatrist Today
! Contact our psychiatrist Dr. Germaine Hawkins at Hawkins Psychiatry in Mansfield, TX, at (817) 460-7080 to learn how you can deal with your PTSD.