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PTSD & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Midtown

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that develops as the result of a person’s exposure to a traumatic event or series of events believed to be terrifying or life-threatening, like sexual assault, natural disaster, war combat, domestic violence, and the death of a loved one. PTSD has been called “shell shock” and “combat fatigue” in the past, but PTSD does not just develop in combat veterans. PTSD can manifest in all people following a traumatic event and develops in approximately 9% of people over a lifetime. If you or someone you know is experiencing PTSD, please contact The Resilience Center of Houston today to learn about our PTSD therapy and treatments, and cognitive behavioral therapy for PTSD in Houston.


What are Some Common Symptoms of PTSD?

Those with PTSD experience intense, distressing thoughts and feelings related to their traumatic experience that endure long after the event occurred. There are four categories of symptoms associated with PTSD listed below.

  1. Intrusion - repeated intrusive thoughts that may include disturbing nightmares and vivid flashbacks that feel like one is reliving the event

  2. Avoidance - avoiding the distress associated with reminders of the event, like people, places, activities, and objects.

  3. Alterations in cognition and mood

    • Distorted, negative cognitions about the self or the event

    • Inability to remember important aspects of the event

    • Ongoing negative emotions, like anger, fear, guilt, shame, and sadness

    • Detachment or estrangement from others

    • Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities

    • Inability to experience positive emotions

  4. Alterations in arousal and reactivity - irritability and anger outbursts, reckless or self-destructive behavior, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, and difficulty concentrating and sleeping.


It is not unusual for those exposed to a traumatic event to experience some of the above-listed symptoms. PTSD may develop, however, when symptoms persist for months and years following the trauma, cause significant distress, and impact the person’s ability to function. Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. Some research suggests that temperament, genetic makeup, and predisposing mental health conditions may influence the odds of being diagnosed with PTSD. PTSD can occur for men and women, and people of all ages: children, teens, and seniors. it can also occur If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, reach out to the Resilience Center of Houston today to learn about our PTSD therapy and treatment in Houston.


What are Some Types of Treatments for PTSD?

Houston Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapy

Treatment may include medication, psychotherapy, and social support. The most common psychotherapy approaches to treat PTSD include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy, Exposure Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.


PTSD & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Houston

At The Resilience Center of Houston, we have therapists who specialize in treating PTSD and offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PTSD, and we are here to help. Take control of your life today and get the care you deserve.


PTSD & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Midtown

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What are the different types of anxiety disorders?

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive and persistent worry that interferes with daily life. Relentless worry results in physical symptoms, like restlessness, feeling on edge, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, exhaustion, and sleep problems. Topics of worry typically center on everyday matters, like appointments, home repairs, work responsibilities, and family health.

What is Panic Disorder?

Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent Panic Attacks. Panic attacks present with severe and overwhelming psychological and physical distress, involving some of the below symptoms.

What are the physical symptoms of Panic Disorder?

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Shortness of breath

  • Muscle tension

  • Sweating

  • Shaking

  • Restlessness

  • Dizziness

  • Tightness in the chest

  • Numbness or tingling

What are the psychological symptoms of Panic Disorder?

  • Feeling like you’re having a heart attack

  • Feeling like you’re going to die

  • Feeling impending doom

  • Feeling like you’re going crazy

  • Feeling like you’re losing touch with reality

  • Fearing you’ll lose control of yourself

  • Constant worry about when you’ll have your next panic attack

  • Fear you’ll embarrass yourself

What are Phobias?

A specific phobia involves intense and persistent fear of a particular object, situation or activity that is generally not dangerous. The experienced distress is acute and leads sufferers to go to extreme lengths to avoid what they fear.

What are common phobias?

  • Fear of driving

  • Fear of flying

  • Fear of vomiting

  • Fear of needles

  • Fear of confined spaces

  • Fear of being alone

  • Fear of leaving the house

What is Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is characterized by the fear of being trapped or stuck in circumstances in which escape may be difficult or embarrassing, or help might not be easily available. The fear is acutely distressing and interferes with normal daily activities. The person typically avoids the situation, needs a companion, or experiences extreme anxiety.

What are common situations agoraphobics fear?

  • Trembling        

  • Crowds

  • Enclosed Spaces

  • Open Spaces

  • Public transportation

  • Leaving the home

What is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder ?

PTSD can develop after a severe physical or emotional trauma such as a sexual assault, natural disaster, or serious accident. Those with PTSD feel intensely upsetting thoughts and emotions connected to their traumatic experience that persist long after the situation happened.

What are PTSD symptoms?

The symptoms of PTSD can be categorized into four areas.

Intrusion – repeated, unwanted thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks of the event

 

Avoidance – steering clear of people, places, activities, and objects that are associated with the event.

 

Changes in cognition and mood – loss of interest, distorted thinking, difficulties concentrating, loss of certain memories, negative emotions, hypervigilance, social withdrawal, and anhedonia.

Changes in behavior – social withdrawal, anger outbursts, recklessness, sensitive startle response, problems sleeping.

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social Anxiety Disorder involves excessive discomfort in social situations and a fear of experiencing embarrassment, judgment, humiliation, condescension, or rejection in social situations that can negatively impact work, school, and other daily activities. People with this disorder will try to avoid social situations or endure them with great anxiety.

What are commonly feared situations for those with social anxiety?

Commonly feared situations include attending parties, interacting at work, eating in public, or engaging in unscripted interactions.

What are common Social Anxiety symptoms?

  • Trembling

  • Blushing

  • Sweating

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Mind goes blank

  • Stomachache

  • Speaks very softly

  • Avoids eye contact

What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Separation Anxiety Disorder is is characterized by excessive fear of being away from those we are close to, who are also called attachment persons.

What are signs of Separation Anxiety Disorder?

  • Anticipation of potential separation causes mounting fear

  • Persistent worry about the negative consequences resulting from separation

  • Obsessive focus on the multitude of situations that could lead to separation

  • Interferes with attending important activities, like work or school

  • Fears of sleeping outside the home and away from attachment persons

  • Nightmares about separation

  • Headaches, nausea, or vomiting

What is Selective Mutism?

Selective Mutism is a rare and debilitating childhood condition that involves a failure to speak in certain situations in which there is a natural expectation to speak. A child may talk at home, for example, and be nonverbal at school. The absence of spoken communication can significantly interfere with the child’s academic achievement and can stunt their social development and the formation of relationships with others. It is theorized that Selective Mutism may be an early and specific manifestation of Social Anxiety Disorder.

What are behaviors associated with Selective Mutism?

  • Clinginess

  • Temper Tantrums

  • Excessive Shyness

  • Social Isolation

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