Living through trauma can reshape how you experience your everyday life and relationships and severely compromise your sense of safety. If distressing memories linger and your body feels constantly on edge, you may be dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At Avant Medical Consulting in Dublin, Ohio, board-cerified psychiatrist Jordan Spellman, MD, provides individualized care if you’re navigating the aftereffects of trauma. With compassionate support and the right treatment plan, healing is possible. Call to schedule an appointment or book one online.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after you experience or witness a traumatic or life-threatening event, such as military combat, serious accidents, physical harm, sexual assault, or medical trauma. About 8% of adults develop PTSD at some point in their lives. PTSD puts your nervous system on high alert after intense stress, even when the danger has passed.
The symptoms can appear immediately after the traumatic event or develop slowly over months and years. Some of the tell-tale signs of PTSD are:
For military veterans, PTSD is usually due to combat exposure, deployment conditions, or experiences during active duty that required constant vigilance. The transition back to nonmilitary life often intensifies symptoms as your body struggles to adjust after being in survival mode. Flashbacks and harsh memories may surface when you least expect them, and places that feel safe to others may trigger a fight-or-flight response from you.
PTSD can influence how you feel and function throughout the day. You might find yourself easily startled, scanning every location for threats, or reacting strongly to sounds or situations that don’t bother others. Disrupted sleep from nightmares can leave you feeling exhausted and emotional.
These symptoms can interfere with work, relationships, and your ability to enjoy everyday activities. If you’re a veteran or first responder, you may struggle to shift out of survival mode.
Often, people with PTSD also struggle with depression or anxiety, or may have a substance use disorder (addiction).
Yes. PTSD is highly treatable, and Dr. Spellman at Avant Medical Consulting understands that treatment is most effective when it’s tailored to your specific symptoms and experiences. He customizes your psychiatric care to help you feel grounded and safe.
Treatment may include medication management to ease worry, improve sleep, and stabilize your mood. When combined with therapy and healthy coping strategies, your treatment can reduce intrusive thoughts, improve emotional regulation, and restore your quality of life.
With the right support, healing from PTSD is possible. To get started with a consultation, call Avant Medical Consulting today or schedule an appointment online.