Leading Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Outpatient Facility Center in Scottsdale, AZ

The signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder can occur soon after a traumatic event, or they can take several months to develop. Each person has a different experience with PTSD, and the severity of someone’s symptoms can change based on their surroundings.

Common signs and symptoms of PTSD include:

• Intrusive thoughts
• Unwanted memories of the traumatic event
• Irritability and anger
• Memory problems
• Nightmares and difficulty sleeping
• Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
• Avoidance of places or situations that may trigger thoughts of the event
• Isolation from friends and family

The main cause of PTSD involves a traumatic event such as threats of or actual violence, injury or death. This can include experiencing a traumatic event firsthand or seeing or hearing about trauma.

Events that can be causes of posttraumatic stress disorder include:

• Domestic violence
• Sexual or physical assault or abuse
• Active military combat
• Life-threatening injuries or illnesses
• Serious car accidents
• Natural disasters
• Terrorist attacks

Not every traumatic event will lead to someone developing PTSD. Certain factors may increase a person’s risk for developing the disorder.

PTSD risk factors include:

• Certain occupations, such as military members, police officers, first responders, firefighters and healthcare workers
• A history of substance use
• Other mental health concerns
• A lack of support

PTSD can have harmful effects if left untreated. The symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder can damage someone’s social life, employment, physical health and happiness.

Effects of PTSD can include:

• Difficulty maintaining employment
• Trouble in school
• Financial difficulties
• Violent tendencies
• Self-harm and suicidal ideation
• Increased risk for dying by suicide

Here are some posttraumatic stress disorder statistics to be aware of:

• PTSD affects 3.6% of American adults each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
• According to the S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 10% of women will have PTSD in their lifetime.
• According to one study by the National Institute of Mental Health, 5% of adolescents suffer from PTSD.

There are many different therapies used to treat PTSD depending on a person’s unique background, concerns and goals for treatment. Sierra at Scottsdale offers several different PTSD treatment techniques, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care and experiential therapies.

Sierra at Scottsdale delivers posttraumatic stress disorder therapy in the form of group, individual and family sessions. Group therapy is the main component of a person’s PTSD treatment plan. During group sessions, clients can learn about topics such as emotion regulation, healthy communication, coping skills and mindfulness.

Sierra at Scottsdale customizes each person’s treatment plan to ensure that their unique needs are met. Along with personalized treatment, each client receives aftercare planning to promote long-term healing.

Those who have PTSD should receive treatment right away to avoid potential negative consequences. There are many benefits to receiving posttraumatic stress disorder treatment, including reduced isolation, improved coping skills and better overall health.

Receiving treatment for PTSD can help reduce someone’s risk for other mental health concerns, including a substance use disorder, self-harm and suicidal ideation.

With treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder, someone can begin to move past the traumatic event that happened and gain more control of their thoughts and feelings.

When choosing a PTSD treatment center, it is important to consider what level of care you need. Sierra at Scottsdale offers outpatient PTSD treatment programs, including an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and a partial hospitalization program (PHP).

You might choose Sierra at Scottsdale as your posttraumatic stress disorder treatment place if you do not require 24-hour support but still want to participate in treatment that is more intensive than traditional outpatient care. Both our IOP and PHP involve several hours of therapy each day, several days a week but allow you to return home in the evenings and on weekends.

By choosing Sierra at Scottsdale, you are also choosing the compassionate experts who make up our team. Our psychiatrists, licensed social workers, psychologists and other mental health professionals are dedicated to ensuring that Sierra at Scottsdale Outpatient Care is a safe and welcoming treatment center for those who have PTSD. When you’re ready, our team can help you learn to manage your symptoms and experience better health and happiness.

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Sierra at Scottsdale Outpatient Care.