PTSD Treatment

PTSD can affect everyone differently, and symptoms can surface soon after a traumatic event or take months to appear.

Examples of symptoms that could indicate that someone is suffering from PTSD include:

• Intrusive memories, distressing dreams, or flashbacks in which the event feels like it is happening again
• Intense emotional or physical reactions when something serves as a reminder of the trauma
• Avoiding thoughts, feelings, people, places, or situations tied to the event
• Difficulty recalling important details of the event
• Persistent negative beliefs about oneself, other people, or the world
• Ongoing fear, anger, guilt, or shame
• Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
• Feeling distant from loved ones
• Difficulty feeling positive emotions like joy and happiness
• Irritability, angry outbursts, or reckless behavior
• Feeling constantly on guard or being easily startled
• Trouble concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping

For someone to receive a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder, their symptoms must last for more than one month and cause considerable distress or make it difficult to function at home, at work, in school, or in relationships.

When a person has PTSD and does not get treatment, their symptoms are likely not going to go away and, instead, will probably get worse. In general, posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with a number of serious negative effects, including:

• Onset of co-occurring mental health conditions: PTSD frequently occurs alongside other types of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, which can make each set of symptoms harder to manage.
• Substance abuse: Many people turn to using alcohol or other substances as a way to ease or dull their symptoms. This pattern of substance use can ultimately turn into an addiction.
• Worsening physical health: The chronic stress that tends to accompany PTSD has been linked to heart problems, sleep disturbances, chronic pain, and weakened immune responses.
• Strained relationships: Irritability, emotional distance, and the urge to avoid reminders of a traumatic experience can cause conflict within families or friendships. This can also result in a person developing feelings of isolation.
• Difficulty at work or school: Problems with concentration, sleep, and mood can make it hard to keep up with responsibilities and perform well at work or in school.
• Heightened risk for suicide and self-harm: Untreated PTSD raises the likelihood that someone may experience suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harming behaviors, both of which call for immediate psychiatric care.

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger or is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call 911 or reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for free, confidential help 24/7. You can also go to your nearest emergency room or come directly to our hospital at 150 Moon Bay Parkway in St. Augustine.

Our inpatient PTSD treatment center is designed for individuals who need round-the-clock monitoring and support. Patients who are admitted for PTSD receive a complete intake assessment, a personalized plan of care, and daily access to a clinical team whose members work together to coordinate every part of a person’s treatment. Most patients stay in inpatient treatment at our hospital in St. Augustine, Florida, for seven to 10 days, but the actual amount of time a person spends in our care can vary based on their specific needs.

Every PTSD treatment plan may look somewhat different depending on where a person is in their healing process and how severe their symptoms are, but the following are examples of the services that may be included:

• Basic medical care: Although we are not equipped to treat complex medical conditions, our team can provide basic physical medical care as needed.
• Medication management services: Many patients who have posttraumatic stress disorder can benefit from taking certain prescription medications; however, medication is not a required part of a person’s treatment plan for PTSD. For those who do take medication, they can meet with a psychiatrist six days a week and work with our nursing staff, which administers and monitors the effects of the medication.
• Family therapy: If a patient and their treatment team believe that it could be helpful, they can schedule family therapy sessions so that loved ones have an opportunity to learn about posttraumatic stress disorder, gain an understanding of the effects of trauma, and develop healthier communication patterns.
• Group therapy: Group therapy is the main method of treatment we use at our PTSD treatment center. Led by experienced professionals, these sessions give patients a chance to connect with peers who understand what they are going through. They engage in conversations on a variety of topics, including self-esteem, the effects of trauma, coping skills, and healthy boundaries.

To ensure that patients have a well-rounded treatment experience at our St. Augustine hospital, we use several research-backed therapies and interventions, such as:

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Motivational interviewing
• 12-Step facilitation (for patients who are struggling with addictions in addition to PTSD)

Inpatient treatment for PTSD offers a number of benefits, including:

• Close monitoring and consistent support
• Relief from everyday reminders of the event, allowing patients to focus on treatment
• A predictable daily schedule that can be reassuring for someone who may have been feeling unsafe or hypervigilant for a long time
• Concentrated therapeutic work focused specifically on the person’s needs
• Close oversight by a psychiatrist for patients who are taking medication
• Discharge planning so that patients can transition smoothly back to everyday life once their time at our inpatient PTSD treatment center has come to an end

Inpatient posttraumatic stress disorder treatment is designed to create the right conditions for people to achieve meaningful progress in the shortest, most focused time possible, setting them up for lasting healing.

If you or someone you love is struggling with the effects of trauma or PTSD, the team at Coastal Pines Behavioral Health is here to help. Our inpatient PTSD treatment center serves communities throughout northeast Florida and southern Georgia, and we are available to answer any questions you have 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Do not continue to suffer in silence. Get the treatment you need so that you can live the healthy life you deserve.