Portland, Maine, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment Center
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts roughly 6% of the U.S. population at some point in their lifetimes.1 Though many are impacted by this condition, residents of Portland, ME, and elsewhere are often unaware of how to recognize it and, more importantly, they don’t realize there are effective treatment options available. However, those in Portland are uniquely positioned to receive quality, local treatment for PTSD.
Bishop Health in Portland, ME, offers qualified staff to assess, diagnose, and treat your mental health concerns including PTSD. Call today to speak with a treatment advisor. They can answer your questions and guide you to your next step in the process. Your journey to the mental health you deserve is closer than you may think.
What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD develops as the result of exposure to a traumatic event. It is your brain’s way of coping with the intense sensations that you may be experiencing when these events occur. PTSD-inducing events may include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, combat, other forms of violence, and more. Though many Americans experience one or more of these types of events, not everyone develops PTSD. It is only when there is an inability to cope with this trauma that PTSD symptoms develop.
Types of PTSD
Two conditions or types of disorders are closely related to PTSD.2
- Acute Stress Disorder — A type of short-term mental health condition, an acute stress disorder typically presents within the first month after experiencing a traumatic event. If symptoms persist for more than 4 weeks, this disorder may evolve into PTSD.
- Complex PTSD (CPTSD) — CPTSD can develop if you experience chronic trauma, such as long-term child physical or sexual abuse, long-term domestic violence, war, etc. People with CPTSD typically have PTSD symptoms in addition to extensive issues with emotion regulation, sense of self, and relationships.
Trauma & Causes of PTSD
Exposure to trauma is the root cause of PTSD. When a traumatic event happens, your brain may become overloaded with intense sensations. In order to protect itself, your brain sometimes develops PTSD symptoms as a way of protecting itself from these uncomfortable sensations. Events that may trigger PTSD symptoms include:
- Serious accidents
- Physical or sexual assault
- Abuse, including childhood or domestic abuse
- Exposure to traumatic events at work, including remote exposure
- Serious health problems, such as being admitted to intensive care
- Childbirth experiences, such as losing a baby
- The death of someone close to you
- War and conflict
- Torture
Children are at an increased risk for developing PTSD when exposed to these events due to their lack of coping skills and limited ability to process trauma.
Signs & Symptoms of PTSD
Symptoms of PTSD can reveal themselves in a multitude of ways. Ranging from barely noticeable to inhibiting daily life, these symptoms vary based on the event, exposure, and coping skills of the individual. PTSD symptoms typically include:
- Re-experiencing symptoms — These symptoms include flashbacks, dreams, or recurring memories of a traumatic event along with the accompanying intense emotions.
- Avoidance symptoms — Intentionally avoiding people, places, and things that remind you of the traumatic event are all avoidance symptoms.
- Arousal or reactivity symptoms — These symptoms include being easily startled or remaining at a constant feeling of tension.
- Cognition and mood symptoms — Easily angered or depressive symptoms are also possible PTSD related.
PTSD Outpatient Treatment at Our Portland, ME Mental Health Clinic
Portland residents have access to some of the nation’s leading mental health treatment for PTSD. Bishop Health specializes in the treatment of PTSD through our outpatient program. Program participants have the opportunity to receive an assessment, diagnosis, and individualized treatment plan all while under the care of a licensed mental health professional. Our outpatient model allows clients to receive the treatment they need with limited disruption to their daily lives.
Our Evaluation & Diagnosis of PTSD
Our team of qualified mental health professionals begin your PTSD treatment with an in depth assessment. This allows them to properly diagnose the severity of your symptoms in order to formulate a treatment plan. The assessment tools used by our clinicians consist of easy to answer questions centered around your history, symptoms, and other important information related to PTSD. Once they properly assess your concerns, they offer a diagnosis and work with you to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan.
PTSD Treatment Options
At Bishop Health we only utilize evidence-based practices with a proven track record of success for the treatment of PTSD. These methods include talk therapy, medication, or a combination of both. This treatment plan is devised and agreed upon by both you and your primary clinician. It typically includes regular meetings for counseling appointments as well as medication management.
PTSD Treatment Therapies
Some common practices used for treating PTSD include:
- Cognitive Restructuring — This method of talk therapy involves restructuring a client’s thoughts in order to help process previous traumatic events.
- Exposure Therapy — This method of therapy involves a client’s gradual exposure to potentially triggering materials or experiences while guided by a trained mental health therapist.
About PTSD Treatment at Bishop Health – Portland
If you or someone you love is struggling with PTSD or any other form of mental health disorder, Bishop Health can help. We focus on rebuilding self-esteem and changing disturbing thought patterns through both group and individual sessions.
Our goal is to empower you with the skills needed to manage PTSD. Leveraging our therapy, services, and support, you can make significant progress to overcome your debilitating symptoms.
Call today to speak with a treatment advisor, who can answer your questions, discuss treatment options, and even review your insurance benefits and/or payment options. Your journey to the mental health you deserve can start today.
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