PTSD

Approximately six out of every 100 people in America will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives, and many cases of PTSD go undiagnosed. Fortunately, David Kalkstien, MD, PhD, and the expert providers at David Kalkstein & Associates offer adults comprehensive PTSD care at locations in Rehoboth Beach and Wilmington, Delaware, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. If you’ve experienced a traumatic life event and are experiencing feelings of blame, regret, fear, or having nightmares or flashbacks, the practice provides effective treatment plans. Call or book an appointment online to schedule a PTSD consultation today.

What is PTSD?

PTSD can occur if you’ve been through a traumatic life event like an injury, war, fire, car accident, or death of someone close to you or if you’ve experienced any kind of abuse. 

Even after the danger has passed, PTSD can still trigger you mentally and physically, causing you to feel uncontrollably afraid, hopeless, or angry. 

How do I know if I have PTSD?

To be officially diagnosed with PTSD, you must experience symptoms for longer than one month. 

With PTSD, you may have fearful thinking, nightmares, and flashbacks. You may also exhibit one or more avoidance symptoms. You may avoid discussing the traumatic event or involving yourself with situations, places, or people that remind you of it.  

A PTSD diagnosis also includes two or more thinking and mood symptoms such as: 

• Anxiety 
• Depression
• Irritability 
• Sleeplessness or oversleeping 
• Feelings of numbness 
• Memory loss 
• Feelings of guilt or shame 
• Hypersensitivity to perceived threats or danger 

If left untreated, PTSD can lead to physical issues like headaches, chest pain, chronic fatigue, weak immune system, and substance misuse. 

How is PTSD treated? 

You may benefit from a combination of treatment options tailored to your needs. 

Medications 

Your provider may prescribe antidepressants to improve mood and stress levels. They may recommend Spravato®, a nasal spray, in severe cases, along with an oral antidepressant. 

Popular medications for PTSD include Zoloft®, Prozac®, Paxil®, and Effexor®.

Psychotherapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and prolonged exposure therapy (PE) are forms of therapy that create a safe space for you to discuss your disorder and help you feel in control. 

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) uses a moving light to trigger your brain to revisit the traumatic event. This can help you let go of feelings of guilt or fear. 

Brain stimulation 

If your symptoms haven’t improved, your provider may recommend transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This neuromodulation technique sends magnetic pulses into your brain, shifting nerve cell activity in areas that regulate mood. 

During electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), you’re given general anesthesia, and your provider attaches electrodes to your scalp that stimulate your brain with a brief controlled series of electrical pulses. This causes a short, small seizure within your brain and helps alleviate PTSD symptoms. 

Your provider may also encourage lifestyle changes like meditative techniques, support groups, exercise, and journaling. 

Call David Kalkstein & Associates today or reach out online to schedule a consultation.