Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition triggered by going through (or witnessing) something traumatic. Common symptoms of PTSD include unpleasant nightmares, flashbacks, and severe anxiety, as well as other symptoms
After going through something traumatic, it is actually normal to have difficulty coping for a while. With proper self-care and time, you will eventually feel better. If what you are experiencing is PTSD, however, the symptoms do not go away on their own and can last for years without proper treatment.
What causes PTSD?
The truth is, anyone can develop PTSD if they go through something traumatic. Some people can even get PTSD from witnessing or hearing about something traumatic. Likewise, some people can go through traumatic events and cope just fine on their own. Who develops PTSD after a traumatic event comes down to a number of biological and environmental factors, none of which are in a person’s control.
Such factors include the following:
- Stressful or traumatic events and experiences
- Family history of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety
- Inherited personality features (also known as temperament)
- The way a person’s brain regulates chemicals and hormones in response to stress
The following factors make a person more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event:
- Intense or long-lasting trauma
- Childhood abuse or trauma
- A profession or job that increases your exposure to traumatic events (for instance, first responders)
- Prior history of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety
- Prior history of substance abuse problems
- Lack of a strong social support system
Common examples of events that can lead to the development of PTSD may include the following:
- Combat exposure
- Sexual violence or abuse
- Physical violence or abuse
- Childhood abuse
- Life-threatening events (such as mugging or robbery)
- An accident, emergency, or natural disaster
- Life-threatening, traumatic, or long-lasting medical conditions
What can you do to treat PTSD?
PTSD can be an unforgiving, traumatizing condition, but there is always hope for relief from your symptoms. There are a variety of treatments available, including antidepressant medications, psychotherapy sessions, and new treatments like ketamine infusions.
Ketamine Treatment for PTSD
Research indicates that ketamine treats PTSD by binding to receptors in the brain, increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter glutamate being released. This then sets off a chain reaction in the brain that affects thinking and emotional regulation.
This means, in layman’s terms, that the brain reacts to ketamine infusions in a way that triggers hormones that help the brain create more positive emotions. Unlike other treatments, ketamine can provide this relief within hours or days of the first infusion, although it is most successful as a series of infusions.
Contact us today if you are suffering from PTSD and you would like to learn more about our ketamine treatments for PTSD.
