PTSD
TELEHEALTH and in office PSYCHIATRY SERVING NEW YORK
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is known for affecting people who serve in the military, but it can occur in anyone after they experience a traumatic event. Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner Danielle Damas, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BC-NP, based in Franklin Square, New York, specializes in treating PTSD, providing the care you need through telemedicine appointments. Call her practice, Danielle Damas, Psychiatric NP, PC, or use the online booking feature to schedule a virtual visit today.
PTSD is a mental health condition that occurs after a traumatic event or prolonged exposure to a stressful or frightening experience. Though most people develop PTSD after they experience the event, it can also begin if you witness the trauma or learn that a close friend or family member had the experience.
The traumatic events that most frequently cause PTSD include:
Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes also cause PTSD.
The natural anxiety you feel after a traumatic event should gradually improve. If you still have intense anxiety a month after the event, you may have PTSD.
In addition to anxiety, PTSD causes:
Avoidance refers to purposefully staying away from the places, people, or activities that make you remember the traumatic event.
When you experience a traumatic event, your brain records all the details, like sounds, smells, sights, and other sensations. You don’t recall all of them because your brain pushes them into your subconscious.
One day, you encounter a forgotten detail that triggers your subconscious, bringing back vivid memories of the trauma. This sudden memory can cause incredibly strong emotions and behaviors that are hard to manage.
The medication management specialists at Danielle Damas, Psychiatric NP, PC, may recommend medications like antidepressants, frequently used to treat the core symptoms of PTSD.
Antidepressants restore the brain chemicals that are out of balance in people with PTSD. You may also need medications to reduce anxiety, irritation, and anger or to treat nightmares and sleep problems.
Your provider may also recommend therapy to help you safely revisit your memories and understand how they affected your emotional, behavioral, and mental health. You can also learn how to cope when something triggers a memory during therapy.
Call Danielle Damas, Psychiatric NP, PC, or request a telemedicine appointment online to get the help you need to overcome PTSD today.