Help! The Holidays Stress Me Out
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The Many Faces of Trauma
If asked to define trauma, you might name some of the most extreme examples including combat and plane crashes. But trauma has many faces and affects many people across all walks of life.
At Revîv Functional Psychiatry & TMS Wellness Center in Fullerton, California, our experienced team can help you identify the types of trauma that might be impacting your life so we can begin addressing both the source and the symptoms. Led by expert psychiatrist Dr. Hina Sidhu, who’s certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, we can help you face and overcome post-traumatic syndrome (PTSD).
If you’re experiencing any of the classic signs of PTSD, we recommend coming in soon to talk with Dr. Sidhu. Your symptoms may vary and not be the same as someone else experiencing it. PTSD can manifest in many ways, including, but not limited to:
- Avoidance of people and things that remind you of the trauma
- Flashbacks
- Dreams and nightmares
- Unwanted thoughts
- Feelings of guilt, anger, and shame
- Irrational behavior
- Suicidal tendencies
- Sleep issues
- Depression and hopelessness
- Aggression
- Jumpiness
- Apathy
- Foggy brain: poor memory, lack of focus, spacey
If you have PTSD, you may experience one or some of these symptoms at varying degrees of intensity. Everyone is different. That’s why we treat every patient under our care as a unique individual. Functional psychiatry is not a one-size-fits-all treatment, but a very personal, holistic approach to your mental health and wellness.
It’s estimated that about half the population will experience a traumatic life event, and about 8% of them will end up with some degree of PTSD in their lifetime — that’s about eight million people annually. But many who have PTSD symptoms don’t realize it, because they haven’t identified the event or don’t believe the event could be the cause. It’s important to know that trauma comes in many forms. Here are some examples.
Childhood trauma
Events early in life can impact you as an adult. Whether you were verbally or sexually abused, were in an accident, or witnessed a traumatic event such as domestic violence, the symptoms may not appear until you’ve reached adulthood.
Natural disasters
Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes can wreak havoc on the landscape, but you may not have considered what they can do to your mind. Living through and surviving a natural disaster can have a lasting effect. Just because some people seem to make it through unscathed physically and mentally, doesn’t mean you did.
Traumatic stories
You don’t have to live through trauma personally to experience PTSD. Many people suffer the consequences after simply hearing about trauma, especially if it involves a violent act or the death of a loved one.
Sexual violence
Rape and PTSD are interlinked. Nearly all women who are victims of rape experience PTSD immediately following the event, and a third still experience symptoms for the better part of a year. Some never recover.
Physical violence
Getting mugged on the street, being held at gunpoint, fighting in a war, and any other similar act of violence can lead to PTSD. Whether the violence happened to you directly or you witnessed it, these actions can leave a lasting mark on your brain that makes you relive it long after it’s over.
Fear conditioning
If you live a life of danger or uncertainty, whether that’s in a violent neighborhood or a battle zone, over time, your brain learns to predict the danger. This is called fear conditioning, and it can be beneficial when you’re faced with legitimate danger, but it can also cause some people to see danger where none exists.
Facing — and treating — the many faces of PTSD
The good news is that Dr. Sidhu can treat your PTSD and help you regain your ability to function and enjoy life. Your treatment depends on the details of your experience, your symptoms, and your overall health.
Dr. Sidhu draws on her expertise in the fields of medicine and psychiatry to offer you the most effective treatment plan, which may include cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, prolonged exposure therapy, or other techniques designed to help you face and overcome your PTSD.
If you or a loved one is experiencing the symptoms of PTSD, call us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sidhu or book an appointment online.
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