PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after you’ve seen or experienced something traumatic. While some people “bounce back” after just a few weeks, others find their symptoms lingering or worsening as more time passes. 

While some people never receive a professional diagnosis or treatment for PTSD and still maintain a level of functionality in their lives, this is not always the case. PTSD can take a severe toll on your mental, emotional and physical health; it can make managing work, school, relationships, responsibilities 

If it’s been longer than a month and you still find yourself exhibiting symptoms of PTSD, you might find yourself struggling with extra anxiety as you wonder if your PTSD will ever go away.

In this article, we’re going to answer that question for you.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that commonly develops in individuals who have witnessed or directly experienced a traumatic event. Children, men and women of all ages can have PTSD; there is no age restriction regarding the impact trauma can have and leave on our minds. 

Though military-related traumas like combat and deployment are thought of about PTSD, these are not the only types of trauma that can cause this mental health condition. Any trauma can trigger the development of PTSD, including sexual or otherwise physical abuse, childhood neglect, being in a natural disaster or accident and more. 

PTSD specifically is characterized by a range of distressing symptoms that do not cease after the initial shock of the event wears off. 

When left untreated, PTSD can remain present in a person for months and even years. 

Can PTSD go away?

Every person’s mental health is different, as are the individual experiences they had that led to the development of their PTSD. As a result, whether or not your PTSD can and will “go away” depends on various personal factors. 

Some of these factors include:

• How quickly you begin receiving treatment
• Whether or not the appropriate medicines were employed
• The severity of the trauma
• The pre-existing state of the person’s mental health
• Individual resilience, beliefs and commitment
• Having a solid support system
• Additional psychological or physical conditions

The good news is that many individuals experience partial relief or complete recovery from PTSD with the proper treatment, support (personal and professional) and dedication to healing.

Effective treatments for PTSD

Since there are many different causes of PTSD and every person’s situation is unique, the best treatment plan will be the one that is customized to your specific needs. Some standard treatment modalities are proven to be especially effective for PTSD though.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common forms of therapy and well-established treatments for PTSD. You’ll work one-on-one with a therapist to identify negative thinking patterns harmful or self-sabotaging beliefs, and heal your mind.

Eve movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy where individuals engage in rapid eye movements (or other forms of bilateral stimulation) while recalling their trauma-related memories. This helps to desensitize the individual to their trauma, minimizing reactions to triggers, and making the memories less distressing.

In some cases, medication may be temporarily prescribed to help manage specific PTSD symptoms such as anxiety, a lack of appetite or sleep disturbances.

While all of these methodologies are beneficial to managing symptoms of PTSD, they are most efficient when integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan.

If you’ve been exhibiting symptoms of PTSD for an extended amount of time, or your symptoms have worsened, reach out to our team here at Pyramid Healthcare in Ohio today.

Reach out for support today

Here at Pyramid Healthcare, your healing is our top priority. Our experienced team of medical professionals is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way to achieving your optimal health and well-being.

Recognizing that every person has unique challenges and needs, your medical provider will work closely with you to fully customize the best treatment plan for you. Therapy, rehabilitation and telehealth services are just a few of the programs we offer.

Which one is right for you? We can help you figure that out. 

Give us a call today to learn more about which services are right for you.