Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Healing from trauma is possible — you deserve to feel safe again.
Overview
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event — such as combat, assault, natural disasters, accidents, or childhood abuse. While it is normal to feel distressed after trauma, PTSD occurs when those reactions persist, intensify, and begin interfering with everyday life. PTSD is not a sign of weakness — it is a natural response of an overwhelmed nervous system. With compassionate, trauma-informed care, recovery is absolutely possible.
Causes & Risk Factors
PTSD develops when the brain's fear response becomes dysregulated following trauma. The amygdala (fear center) becomes hyperactive while the prefrontal cortex (rational thinking) becomes underactive. Risk factors include the severity and duration of trauma, lack of social support, pre-existing mental health conditions, and genetic vulnerability. First responders, veterans, survivors of abuse, and accident victims are among those at highest risk.
Who It Affects
About 7–8% of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. Veterans, sexual assault survivors, and first responders have particularly high rates. PTSD can develop at any age, including in children.
Signs & Symptoms
Intrusive Memories
Flashbacks, nightmares, and unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event.
Avoidance
Avoiding thoughts, feelings, places, people, or activities associated with the trauma.
Negative Mood & Cognition
Persistent negative beliefs, feelings of guilt or blame, emotional numbness, and loss of interest.
Hypervigilance
Being constantly on guard, startling easily, difficulty sleeping, and irritability.
Emotional Reactivity
Angry outbursts, reckless behavior, and difficulty concentrating.
Dissociation
Feeling detached from oneself or the surrounding world during stress.
Our Approach at NTX Psychiatry
At NTX Psychiatry, we provide trauma-informed care that places your safety, trust, and pace at the center of treatment. We never pressure you to recount traumatic details before you are ready. Medication management — including SSRIs, SNRIs, and prazosin for nightmares — helps stabilize symptoms while you work through trauma processing. We coordinate with trauma-specialized therapists offering EMDR and Prolonged Exposure therapy for comprehensive healing.
What to Expect
- 1A compassionate, trauma-informed evaluation conducted at your pace
- 2SSRI or SNRI medication to reduce hyperarousal, intrusions, and depression
- 3Prazosin or other targeted medications for trauma-related nightmares
- 4Coordination with trauma therapy specialists (EMDR, CPT, Prolonged Exposure)
- 5Safety planning and crisis resources provided from the first appointment
Get Help Today
Ready to take the first step?
Our caring team is here to listen. Schedule a consultation and start your path to wellness.
Schedule AppointmentCall +1 (469) 407-3000