Get Ptsd Treatment Online
Speak to a board-certified doctor securely from your phone or computer and receive PTSD treatment online. Post traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that develops in some people who have experienced or witnessed a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. It’s normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after this type of event. If symptoms last more than a few months, it may be PTSD. Note, in some cases in-person treatment may be recommended.
We accept these insurance plans and many more! Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Otherwise, new patient visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for members.
How Do Clinicians Diagnose Ptsd
The process of diagnosing PTSD is fairly straightforward for most people. A number of medical professionals, collectively called clinicians, can determine if someone meets the criteria. Primary care doctors, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and clinical mental health counselors are usually those who decide if someone is diagnosed with PTSD. Diagnosis usually happens in one of two ways. Either a person suspects they have PTSD and seeks confirmation from a professional, or changes in their mental health and personality leave them searching for an answer as to what may be going on. At this point, the person is likely to seek out a therapist, doctor, or other mental health provider to diagnose PTSD.
Most health conditions are discovered through “biological markers.” Biological markers are the things we look for in or on the body to confirm disease. For example, if a doctor suspects their patient is suffering from a certain type of blood cancer, they can perform blood testing and bone marrow biopsies to confirm their suspicions. Unfortunately, PTSD does not have any biological markers. A diagnosis can only be made based on a person’s self-reported symptoms, conversations with a family member or loved one about the persons mood symptoms, and their clinician’s ability to rule out other possible mental health conditions or mental illness.
How Do You Get Into Ptsd Counseling
To work as a behavioral mental health counselor, youll at last need a bachelors degree. A major in psychology, human services, or criminal justice could lead to entry-level work within an agency as a caseworker. Higher-level positions, such as a licensed professional counselor, that allow you to work more closely with clients or even start your own practice will require additional education and training.
Most states, in fact, require a graduate degree in health care, and licensure or certification to practice as a clinical counselor. The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program at National University, for instance, is designed to meet the California Board of Behavioral Health standards for a licensed professional clinical counselor. Since PTSD is prevalent among veterans, former military servicemembers are often drawn to enter PTSD counseling roles. In these cases, an online degree from a military-friendly college, such as National University, could be an especially appealing option.
You can explore the many options for psychology education at National University by visiting our program page.
Learn More About Our University and Scholarships
Join our email list!
Don’t Miss: How To Maximize Va Disability Benefits
How Do I Know If I Have Ptsd
The only way to know for sure, and get a formal diagnosis is to talk to a medical professional.
In the UK, this usually begins with a trip to your GP. They will ask about your symptoms, how youve been feeling, and perhaps ask a little about your trauma .
Your GP will be mindful of PTSD and C-PTSD if youve experienced trauma and have:
- re-experiencing symptoms
- arousal and reactivity symptoms
- cognition and mood symptoms
If they suspect PTSD or C-PTSD, its likely they would then refer you to your local community mental health team for an appointment to get a full diagnosis and to discuss treatment options further. There are a number of mental health specialists you may see if you have PTSD or C-PTSD, such as a psychologist, community psychiatric nurse or psychiatrist.
Psychology And Ptsd Counseling
Post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly referred to as PTSD, affects 6-7 million people in the United States. While occurring mostly in the adult population, and often associated with veterans, this mental health condition does not discriminate by age, career, or any other factor. Anyone who has experienced trauma or a life-threatening event can develop PTSD.
Medical professionals know much more about this anxiety disorder than they did in the past. In fact, post-traumatic stress disorder was not officially recognized by the American Psychological Association until 1980. The public is learning more, too. The stigma surrounding mental health is declining, and more people are seeking PTSD counseling and treatment.
We talked to Brenda Shook, a neuroscientist and associate professor at National University, about the role of PTSD counseling.
Also Check: How Much Long Term Disability Pay
How Is Ptsd Diagnosed
The doctor will do a mental health assessment. This means they will ask about current symptoms, past history and family history. They may do a physical examination to check that there are no other reasons for the symptoms.
The doctor may refer to a psychiatrist or psychologist. They will ask how long, how often and how intense the symptoms are, and what happened during the triggering event.
For PTSD to be diagnosed, the symptoms need to be severe enough to interfere with someones ability to function at work, socially or at home. A full diagnosis cannot be made until at least 6 months after the trauma.
Often a diagnosis can come as a relief for someone who has been suffering debilitating symptoms because it provides an explanation and a basis for beginning treatment.
Ptsd Facts With The Dsm
No, you dont have to read the entire DSM to better understand PTSD or the symptoms youre experiencing. Its a professional resource, so while valuable, it can be dense and clinical. Youll get the best, most accurate diagnosis by talking with medical and mental health professionals. But in the meantime, you can use information from the DSM to begin to explore your mental health.
Recommended Reading: What Does It Mean To Have A Learning Disability
When To Seek A Ptsd Diagnosis
Before a PTSD diagnosis can be considered, an individual must have these cluster symptoms for over one month: recreating the traumatic event over and over avoiding triggering people, places, or activities and hyper-vigilance for danger. These symptoms should cause significant problems in everyday life.
An individual should seek a PTSD diagnosis if these conditions are present in their life, even if it has been several months or even years since a significant trauma, as PTSD symptoms can sometimes take that long to appear.
Understand that every person reacts to trauma differently. While some individuals bounce back after trauma, others need extra support and treatment to be able to heal mentally and emotionally from trauma.
The Davidson Trauma Scale
The Davidson Trauma Scale is a self-assessment that people can use to screen themselves for PTSD. This test uses a four-item scale called SPAN that looks at four key areas involved in PTSD: startle, physiological arousal, anger, and emotional numbness. This test has 17 items and asks the person taking it to rate the severity of each symptom across the SPAN categories.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Most Common Type Of Learning Disability
Summary Of Education And Training
Psychologist
Degree: MA, PhD, PsyD, EdD
Training: Graduate courses in human behavior, development, personality, research, statistics, psychotherapy, assessment, ethics. Two years for master’s degree, four to six years for doctoral degree, followed by one to two years of full-time internship.
Can prescribe medications: In certain states with additional training.
Psychiatrist
Degree: MD, DO
Training: Medical school with broad focus on biological functioning followed by specialized residency about mental illness and its treatment, with a focus on medications .
Can prescribe medications: Yes.
What Happens When Someone Has Ptsd
Many people will experience traumatic events throughout their lives. About one third of adults in England report having experienced at least one traumatic event. However, not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will go on to develop PTSD.
Many people can experience grief, sadness, anxiety, guilt and anger after a traumatic experience. This does not necessarily mean that someone has PTSD. People who have PTSD often have many of the following symptoms. These can start immediately, or they might take some weeks or even months to begin.
With PTSD, these symptoms will interfere with your day-to-day activities and/or cause you to feel extremely distressed. If you have any of these symptoms immediately after a traumatic event, this does not necessarily mean that you will develop PTSD.
Read Also: How To Change Disability Direct Deposit
Ptsd: National Center For Ptsd
Available en Español
If you are starting PTSD treatment or want to try something new, you have options. Some mental health providers offer talk therapy and others prescribe medication. There are also some who can do both for PTSD treatment. Learn about the different training for mental health providers who treat PTSD.
Reading time: minutes
There are many types of professionals who provide evidence-based psychotherapy and medication to people who have experienced trauma. The information below reviews the most common types of licensed mental health providersalso called psychiatric care providersand generally explains their education, training, and services offered.
Mental health professionals can have different training, credentials, or licenses. Providers can also offer different services, based upon their expertise. If you are looking for a particular type of treatment or expert focus, the license and specialized training of the mental health provider is important. Your health insurance provider may also allow you to see only certain types of mental health professionals. Check your policy for details.
Next Steps For Ptsd Research
In the last decade, progress in research on the mental and biological foundations of PTSD has lead scientists to focus on better understanding the underlying causes of why people experience a range of reactions to trauma.
- NIMH-funded researchers are exploring trauma patients in acute care settings to better understand the changes that occur in individuals whose symptoms improve naturally.
- Other research is looking at how fear memories are affected by learning, changes in the body, or even sleep.
- Research on preventing the development of PTSD soon after trauma exposure is also under way.
- Other research is attempting to identify what factors determine whether someone with PTSD will respond well to one type of intervention or another, aiming to develop more personalized, effective, and efficient treatments.
- As gene research and brain imaging technologies continue to improve, scientists are more likely to be able to pinpoint when and where in the brain PTSD begins. This understanding may then lead to better targeted treatments to suit each persons own needs or even prevent the disorder before it causes harm.
You May Like: How To Apply For Short Term Disability In Ma
What Can You Do If You Think You Have Ptsd
If you think you have PTSD, it’s important to get treatment. Treatment can work, and early treatment may help reduce long-term symptoms. footnote 1
If you think you have PTSD:
- Talk to your family doctor.
- Talk to a mental health professional, such as a therapist.
- If you’re a veteran, contact your local VA hospital or Vet Center.
- Talk to a close friend or family member. He or she may be able to support you and find you help.
- Talk to a religious leader.
If you have thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else, call 911 , 1-800-273-TALK , or go to a hospital emergency room.
Treatment Options For Ptsd
There are a variety of treatment options for PTSD. While the recovery process may take time and patience, you can overcome PTSD through consistent treatment.
The most common treatment options available to PTSD patients include psychotherapy and medication.
In some instances, psychotherapy is enough to deal with PTSD. This process helps patients learn appropriate ways to address the symptoms and cope with the experiences.
If psychotherapy is not effective than antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication may be utilized as well. These medications prevent the areas in your brain that cause grief or anxiety from overreacting.
Read Also: Social Security Office Michigan City
Psychologist Training And Qualifications
Psychologists are people who have either a PhD or a PsyD in a field such as clinical or counseling psychology. In some cases, a psychologist may have an EdD .
To get a PhD, PsyD, or EdD, a person must go to graduate school. Graduate programs in clinical or counseling psychology usually last about five to six years. During that time, psychologists receive extensive training in the assessment and treatment of various psychological disorders.
In meeting with a psychologist, you want to first make sure he is licensed by the state in which he is practicing. You may also want to ask about his professional orientation. It can also be important to ask about his training and area of expertise to make sure he’s a good fit for you.
Depending on the type of training received, each psychologist is going to have his own beliefs and ideas about the origins of psychological disorders and how to treat them. These beliefs and ideas are generally referred to as an “orientation.”
Moreover, don’t forget the importance of having a personal connection with a mental health provider. Even if a psychologist is perfectly qualified doesn’t mean he is the right provider for you.
How Is Ptsd Treated
Many people have some symptoms of PTSD in the first couple of weeks after a traumatic event, but most recover on their own or with the help of family and friends.
For people whose symptoms last longer, PTSD is treated with psychotherapy or sometimes medicine, or both. Everyone’s PTSD is different, so if you have PTSD you might need to try a few different types of treatment before you find something that works for you.
Also Check: Is Social Security Disability Back Pay Taxable
Substance Use Or Substance Abuse To Relieve Symptoms
Most people believe that post-traumatic stress disorder only affects those who see or experience a traumatic event first-hand. However, just hearing about traumatic events that happen to those we love may trigger symptoms as well. Another common misconception is that trauma only happens suddenly or in a single event. Unfortunately, repeated exposure to trauma over time can lead to a trauma disorder as well. We often see this with first responders, police officers, and people who have been victimized by sexual or domestic abuse.
Traumatic events are hard to define. Everyone has their own interpretation of their triggers and unique tolerance to stressful events. However, traumatic events can include :
- Natural disasters
Getting A Diagnosis For Complex Ptsd
Diagnosing CPTSD isnt as straightforward as one would hope. Many doctors arent familiar with it because its a newer disorder. Its often mistaken for PTSD or even borderline personality disorder .
The first step to receiving the proper treatment is getting an accurate diagnosis. Once diagnosed, individuals can decide if they want an in-patient or outpatient program. Since theres no specific test for CPTSD, patients need to prepare for their appointment.
To help the doctor accurately diagnose the disorder, patients should ensure they:
- Keep track of all symptoms
- Note when symptoms began
- Keep an eye on any changes in symptoms
- Record the intensity of each symptom
- Identify what their triggers are
The doctor will likely ask about past traumatic events. Theres no pressure to provide in-depth information at the first appointment. They will also inquire about family and medical history to rule out other issues.
Being open about medication, drug use, and alcohol consumption is critical. This information can help the doctor create an individualized treatment plan. Some people need a dual diagnosis and its corresponding remedies.
Don’t Miss: Can You Get Social Security Disability If You Never Worked
Beyond Treatment: How Can I Help Myself
It may be very hard to take that first step to help yourself. It is important to realize that although it may take some time, with treatment, you can get better. If you are unsure where to go for help, ask your family doctor. You can also check NIMH’s Help for Mental Illnesses page or search online for mental health providers, social services, hotlines, or physicians for phone numbers and addresses. An emergency room doctor can also provide temporary help and can tell you where and how to get further help.
To help yourself while in treatment:
- Talk with your doctor about treatment options
- Engage in mild physical activity or exercise to help reduce stress
- Set realistic goals for yourself
- Break up large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can
- Try to spend time with other people, and confide in a trusted friend or relative. Tell others about things that may trigger symptoms.
- Expect your symptoms to improve gradually, not immediately
- Identify and seek out comforting situations, places, and people
Caring for yourself and others is especially important when large numbers of people are exposed to traumatic events .
Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Ptsd After A Traumatic Experience
After a traumatic experience, many people will have some trauma symptoms for the first month or so. Many of these symptoms are normal reactions to experiencing real or perceived danger. You can think about them as your brains way of protecting you from harm.
However, most people will process what has happened after a few weeks, or sometimes a little longer, and their stress symptoms will start to disappear.
Research shows that certain groups of people are at increased risk of developing PTSD. The risk of developing PTSD is decreased if someone can:
- access social support and
- causes mutilation
- involves children.
If you continue to be exposed to stress and uncertainty, this will make it more difficult for your PTSD symptoms to improve.
You may have got over a traumatic event if you can:
- think about it without becoming overly distressed
- not feel constantly under threat
- not think about it at inappropriate times.
There are a number of reasons why someone with PTSD might not be diagnosed.
Read Also: Correct Term For Disabled Person