Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition caused by any event that made you feel threatened or unsafe, characterized by intrusive thoughts and feelings of being constantly on edge. The triggers can be unpredictable and hard to manage, leaving you desperate to regain a sense of normalcy.

While you may primarily associate PTSD with mental and emotional symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and chronic stress, this disorder can also have physical effects. 

Severe PTSD Symptoms

The onset of PTSD symptoms can follow soon after the disruptive event or manifest after a delay of several weeks or months. If you have PTSD, you may struggle with typical everyday activities or lose interest in things that used to bring you joy.

While PTSD symptoms can come and go, some sufferers may find their mental and physical wellness worsening over time. A doctor or psychiatrist can diagnose you with PTSD if ongoing issues like these are severe enough to interfere with your quality of life.

• Insomnia or nightmares
• Avoiding people, places, and things that may trigger flashbacks
• Reliving the traumatic event again and again
• Reluctance to talk about what happened or explore how it made you feel
• Feelings of guilt, anger, shame and negativity
• Inability to experience joy, happiness, and satisfaction
• Irritability and mood swings
• Hyperarousal, or being jittery and startling easily
• Reckless, careless, or self-destructive behavior
• Increased suspicion and vigilance
• Problems concentrating on tasks
• Excessive worry, anxiety, or distress

How Chronic Stress Impacts Your Health

In addition to psychological symptoms, PTSD can also cause physical issues such as a racing heart, ongoing fatigue, muscle tension, nausea, headaches, and body aches. The constant tension of living with a heightened stress response can have widespread effects, adversely impacting the endocrine, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.

People with co-occurring mental health conditions like depression or anxiety are more likely to experience physiological PTSD symptoms. People living with PTSD are also at an elevated risk of developing health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and addiction. 

Solution-Focused Seattle PTSD Treatment 

At Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers, we offer convenient outpatient treatment for PTSD and other mental and behavioral health issues. Our program is open to all – you don’t have to be a current client or alumnus of our inpatient rehab to benefit from our mental health services.

We understand the value of receiving a care plan that meets your unique needs. Master’s-level therapists will work with you to provide mental health evaluations, counseling, case management, and other tailored therapies to ensure you receive high-quality attention. For the ultimate safety and convenience, we offer virtual treatment via Zoom, which allows you to take an active role in your mental wellness from the comfort of your home.

To learn more about healing PTSD and other concerns, contact our friendly admissions staff  24/7 at 866-418-9132, or reach out to us online. As a leading treatment center that has helped thousands of people heal, we believe talking to someone about your concerns is the vital first step on your road to recovery.