PTSD Treatment

Managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in daily life can be challenging. At worst, it can even be debilitating. Finding the proper treatment is vital to long-term recovery and allowing a return to living a healthy life.

California Care Recovery in Orange County, California, offers residential and outpatient treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Depending on PTSD severity and an individual’s symptoms, a customized treatment plan can be developed.

Blonde man in a black jacket suffering from PTSD receives PTSD treatment in a private therapy session. His therapist is reaching out her hand to hold his in comfort

If you or a loved one needs immediate help, contact us now

CALL (949) 281-0632

What is PTSD?

An African American woman with a buzzcut in a military uniform suffers from PTSD as she sits in a group therapy session for PTSD treatment

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that people develop after they have experienced or witnessed a particularly traumatic event. It's most famous for military members in war but can be triggered by any part of daily life. Any harmful event, whether emotional or physical, can induce PTSD.

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, about 6 in 100 people will experience PTSD in their daily lives. In a given year, about 12 million US Americans experience this type of trauma, making it one of the most common psychiatric disorders today. Women are twice as likely to develop complex PTSD compared to men, but it can affect people at every age and every walk of life.

The Mental and Physical Symptoms of PTSD

One of the most unpredictable parts of PTSD is when its symptoms develop. PTSD symptoms can occur as little as one month after the traumatic event or wait years to surface. Professionals tend to categorize PTSD symptoms into one of four categories:

Intrusive memories, including flashbacks, dreams, nightmares about the event, or extreme reactions to anything that might serve as a reminder of the event.
Avoidance about the traumatic event, including actively staying away from places, actions, or anyone that might serve as a reminder of it.
Negative thoughts and mood changes, including about oneself and the world, hopelessness, memory issues, detachment, a lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities, and emotional numbness.
Physical and emotional reactions include being unable to stop oneself from looking out for danger, self-destructive behaviors, sleeping or concentrating, guilt or shame, aggressive behavior, and more.

Children under six may also re-enact the traumatic event through play or art, though their active memory suppresses it to prevent further harm. People who are experiencing symptoms of PTSD should consult with a mental health professional about treatment options.

Is PTSD Dangerous?

For some PTSD sufferers, their symptoms are relatively mild. However, it can also become dangerous to individuals and those around them. At its worst, it can lead to suicidal ideation and even actions.

For example, the suicide rate of military veterans with PTSD is four times higher than that of veterans not suffering from it. Even when it doesn't end in suicide, PTSD can lead to depression, eating disorders, and substance use disorders when left untreated.

Some PTSD symptoms can also present a danger to those around the individual suffering from it. In particular, physical and emotional reactions may lead to increased drinking and more reckless driving.

Finally, it's essential to understand that all symptoms can vary over time. A mild case of PTSD can get worse, especially when stressed, and triggering events or conversations can lead to a sudden outburst. So while PTSD is not always harmful, it always has the potential to become dangerous over time.

Older woman suffering from PTSD curled up on the floor in her kitchen, with her head hanging down

How Does Someone Get PTSD?

Asian woman suffering from PTSD is wrapped in a white blanket and holding a warm mug, while her friend hugs her in comfort as they both sit on the floor

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The exact nature of this event can vary widely. Our patients have developed PTSD due to military combat, physical or sexual assault, neglect, abuse, domestic violence, a robbery, a fire, a medical diagnosis, or simply being witness to an event like a car accident.

As a result of witnessing the event, the brain releases certain chemicals to respond to stress, which at its worst, can change hormone levels to the point of lasting PTSD.

Some evidence suggests that inherited genes at least partially cause PTSD. Some studies have shown that a family history of anxiety disorders or a more aggressive temperament can become an increased risk. The risk for PTSD also increases if the trauma happens earlier in life, is combined with anxiety or substance use disorders, or the individual doesn't have a strong family support system.

Our team at California Care Recovery is ready to help you get there. We will work closely with you on an individualized treatment plan for your depression, becoming a driving force toward recovery. We offer same-day admissions and are committed to helping our patients achieve mental and emotional stability.

Studies show that antidepressants effectively fight symptoms and prevent relapses within one to two years of treatment, while psychotherapy had a success rate of more than 70% within a year. With the right medical and mental health professionals by your side, the chances to improve from even severe clinical depression are significant.

How is PTSD Treated?

Comprehensive treatment for PTSD is essential. Fortunately, a few psychological treatment methods exist specifically to get to the bottom of this potentially debilitating mental health condition and come out healthier on the other side:

General Therapy, including individual, family, and group therapy, to understand the symptoms and learn how to manage them.
Cognitive Processing Therapy allows the patient to confront negative emotions and feelings related to mental disorders and find new ways to think about the event.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy, in which the patient 'relives' the event in a controlled environment. This therapy is designed to help the patient face and gain control of their reactions to the event to overcome their PTSD eventually.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which retrains the patient's brain to think about something positive while remembering the trauma. Through controlled eye movement, the memory changes to become less damaging.
Stress Inoculation Training, in which the patient focuses on the stress resulting from the event instead of the event itself. They'll learn to relax their mind and body when experiencing this stress through massage and breathing techniques.
Medication allows the patient to stop the brain from reliving the memory through flashbacks or nightmares. They can also help to soothe the general fear and anxiety that commonly occur due to PTSD.

None of these is the single best choice to treat your PTSD. Instead, an experienced medical professional will develop a treatment plan that includes a number of these techniques to build a lasting road to recovery that matches each situation.

Inpatient Treatment for PTSD

Inpatient treatment for PTSD is offered at California Care Recovery in Orange County, California. Patients will stay overnight during this type of treatment while receiving therapy, medication management, and other forms of care. The duration of this care varies depending on the patient’s needs and may last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Inpatient treatment can be beneficial for those suffering from severe or chronic PTSD as it gives them an opportunity to focus solely on their recovery without any external distractions.

Outpatient Treatment for PTSD

Outpatient treatment for PTSD is an alternative to inpatient treatment that allows patients to receive care without staying overnight at California Care Recovery. This type of treatment is often recommended for people with milder cases of PTSD or those who need extra support after completing an inpatient program. It typically involves regular visits with a therapist or other healthcare professionals and personalized strategies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and more. If needed, outpatient treatment can include individual or group counseling sessions and family therapy.

PTSD Treatment in Orange County, California

PTSD, especially when left untreated, can be a severe challenge affecting the patient and those around them. You can work your way back to living a normal and healthy life with the right professionals.

California Care offers mental health and outpatient mental health programs in Orange County, California. Our therapy and treatment methods can help with recovery from the immediate symptoms and long-term.

Group therapy session PTSD treatment for veterans. Shown in the picture are two Caucasian men in military uniforms

Recovery Starts Here!

At California Care Recovery, we are here to be a positive force for mental health. We’re open 24/7 and offer same day admissions. If you or a loved one is seeking effective treatment for issues of mental health, call us now.

CALL (949) 281-0632