PTSD Care That Meets You Where You Are
Healing Is Possible
You Survived It. Now Let’s Help You Live Beyond It.
Do certain sounds, places, or moments still pull you right back to the worst day of your life? Do you feel like you’re always scanning the room, always braced for something to go wrong? Have you’ve stopped doing things you used to enjoy, or pulled away from people who care about you, because it just feels safer that way?
If you’ve experienced any of these, you may be struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Advanced Psychiatry is here so you don’t have to relive it alone, even when you don’t have to have the right words to identify what you’re facing.
What Is PTSD?
Fear itself is a normal part of the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, and people who go through something traumatic often recover naturally over time. For some, though, that recovery doesn’t come and symptoms don’t fade. They persist, intensify, or begin interfering with everyday life. That’s when it may be Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after living through or witnessing a shocking, frightening, dangerous, or traumatic event. It can affect anyone, regardless of age or background, and isn’t reserved for combat veterans, though military service is one common path to it.
Causes of PTSD include:
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Physical assault
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Sexual assault/sexual violence
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Serious accidents
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Natural disasters
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Terrorist attacks
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Combat experience
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Traumatic loss/death
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Witnessing a traumatic event
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A loved one being injured
Like depression, PTSD is a medical condition, not a character flaw. It’s not a sign that you’re broken, weak, or “too sensitive.” Instead, PTSD is your mind and body’s response to something genuinely overwhelming, a response that got stuck in the “on” position long after the danger passed. The good news is that PTSD responds well to treatment, and Advanced Psychiatry can help.
Common Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms generally fall into a few categories, and can show up differently from person to person:
Re-Experiencing Trauma
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Unwanted, intrusive memories of the traumatic event
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Flashbacks that make you feel like you’re reliving it
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Nightmares related to the trauma
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Intense emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the event
Avoidance Behaviors
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Avoiding places, people, or activities that bring back memories
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Avoiding thinking or talking about what happened
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Changing routines to steer clear of triggers
Changes in Behavior
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Feeling constantly on guard or easily startled
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Irritability, angry outbursts, or aggressive behavior
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Trouble sleeping or concentrating
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Overwhelming guilt or shame
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Engaging in risky or self-destructive behavior
Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood
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Persistent negative feelings about yourself, others, or the world
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Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
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Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
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Difficulty maintaining close relationships
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Trouble remembering key parts of the traumatic event
How Do I Know If I Have PTSD?
If you experienced something traumatic, it’s completely normal to feel shaken up, anxious, or on edge in the days or even weeks that follow. PTSD is different, with symptoms that persist for a month or longer and start interfering with your ability to function at work, in relationships, or in daily life.
Some questions worth asking to determine if you have PTSD:
Do you keep reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks, intrusive memories, or nightmares?
Do you go out of your way to avoid people, places, or conversations that remind you of the trauma?
Have you noticed yourself feeling numb, disconnected, or persistently negative since the event?
Do you feel constantly on edge, easily startled, or unable to relax?
Has it been a month or longer, and things haven’t gotten easier?
If one or more of these questions resonate, it’s worth talking to a mental health professional. Only a licensed clinician can provide a PTSD diagnosis, but that first conversation doesn’t have to be a big step. You just have to reach out, and the team at Advanced Psychiatry will help with the rest.
Is There Treatment for PTSD?
Yes. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is treatable, and many people see meaningful improvement with the right care. At Advanced Psychiatry, every PTSD treatment plan starts with a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, trauma history, and overall health, developed collaboratively with our clinical team.
Psychotherapy (Trauma-Focused Therapy)
Trauma-focused therapy is typically the first-line treatment for PTSD to help you process the traumatic memory, challenge unhelpful beliefs that formed around it, and reduce the hold it has on your daily life. Therapy is often effective on its own and can also be combined with other treatments for more severe or persistent symptoms.
Medication Management
Medication can be a helpful part of PTSD treatment, especially if you have co-occurring symptoms like sleep issues, anxiety, or co-occurring depression. Certain antidepressants can reduce the intensity of PTSD symptoms, but medication alone doesn't typically resolve the underlying trauma response the way therapy can. Our clinical team will evaluate whether medication makes sense for you, help find the right option and dose, and follow up regularly to monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed.
Spravato (Esketamine)
Spravato is an FDA-approved nasal spray primarily used for treatment-resistant depression, but may be considered for patients whose PTSD occurs alongside depression that hasn’t responded to standard treatment. It’s administered under direct medical supervision, with monitoring built into every session. Our clinical team can discuss whether it may be appropriate as part of your broader treatment plan.
IV Ketamine Therapy
IV ketamine therapy delivers a controlled dose directly into the bloodstream in a monitored clinical setting. Emerging research suggests it may help reduce PTSD symptoms, particularly for people who haven’t found relief through therapy or medication alone. Sessions are administered in a series, with a member of our clinical team monitoring you throughout for safety and comfort.
Help for PTSD Is Here
Have you been told to “move on” and just get over the trauma? At Advanced Psychiatry, we understand it’s not that simple. We hear you, we believe you, and we want to help. Let’s work through the trauma together to help with PTSD symptoms so you can move forward in life. Contact us today to get started.