According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 6 out of every 100 people in the U.S. will struggle with PTSD at some point in their lives. Although PTSD is more common among veterans, civilians also struggle with PTSD. PTSD can significantly reduce your quality of life and overall well-being for the worse. If left untreated, many PTSD sufferers may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as drugs or alcohol, as a means to self-medicate. While drugs short-term may help temporarily relieve your PTSD symptoms, over time drug abuse can lead to drug dependency and addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, you don’t have to fight this condition all on your own. At Sanctuary Wellness, we offer mental health treatment in Tennessee to help clients take back control over their lives. We offer a range of individualized mental health treatment services to ensure patients can receive the exact support they need to help them along their recovery journey.
Struggling with PTSD? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you take back control over your life.
What is PTSD? Common Signs and Symptoms of PTSD
Before diving in-depth into how to find help for PTSD in Knoxville, it’s first essential to understand what PTSD is. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), is a mental health condition that occurs when a person experiences a traumatic event and experiences negative effects or “trauma” as a result of experiencing or witnessing a traumatic experience. It’s important to understand that trauma can vary widely. Someone can experience PTSD from a single traumatic event, such as getting in a severe car accident. Or, they can develop PTSD and have experienced a prolonged traumatic experience for weeks, months, or even years.
Unsure if you are struggling with PTSD? Below are some commons signs and symptoms of PTSD to look out for:
- Experiencing vivid flashbacks or nightmares
- Struggling with intrusive thoughts or images of the traumatic experience
- Being extremely alert or on edge
- Having difficulty concentrating or completing daily tasks
- Avoiding certain situations because of your trauma
- Partaking in self-destructive behavior to cope with your trauma
- And more
If you or someone you know is showing any of the above signs or symptoms of PTSD, it’s critical you consider seeking professional help to safely and effectively manage your symptoms.
How to Find Help for PTSD in Knoxville?
Not all mental health treatment centers are created equal. If you are struggling with PTSD and live around the Knoxville area, it can be challenging to know where to go to find help to manage your PTSD symptoms. Below are some important questions to consider when finding help for PTSD in Knoxville.
- Where is the treatment center? Does it offer PTSD-specific treatment support?
Mental health treatment centers are a great option to consider if you are struggling with PTSD. Not only is it important to find a treatment center near you within the Knoxville area (or wherever you may live), but it’s also important to research whether a mental health treatment center offers PTSD-specific treatment support.
- What types of treatment programs do they offer?
Similar to making sure the treatment center you are interested in offers PTSD-specific support, be sure to research the types of treatment programs a mental health facility offers. Examples include inpatient or residential treatment programs or more outpatient care options. Depending on the severity of your PTSD will impact which treatment program may be right for you. For instance, if you struggle with a severe form of PTSD, you may want to consider an inpatient or residential treatment program that offers 24/7 support.
- Do they offer a comprehensive range of treatment options?
Consider what types of treatment options a mental health treatment center offers. Do they offer traditional therapy options, alternative therapies, or a combination of both modern and traditional treatment services?
- Do they offer individualized treatment plans?
It’s also important to find a mental health treatment facility that offers individualized treatment plans. This will ensure you are receiving the best possible treatment tailored toward your recovery needs. This is because no two patients’ recovery journeys are the same. Therefore, your treatment plan shouldn’t be identical to every other patient within the mental health facility.
- Do they offer dual diagnosis treatment?
Last but not least, if you are struggling with both PTSD and a substance use disorder, it’s important to consider finding a mental health treatment center that offers dual-diagnosis treatment. If you are struggling with both addiction and PTSD (or any other form of mental illness), it’s critical you seek dual diagnosis treatment to treat both of your conditions at the same time. Otherwise, treating one condition but not another condition puts you at an increased risk of relapse.
Ready to Start Your Recovery Journey
Finding the right help for your PTSD in Knoxville can be challenging, especially if you don’t know what to look for in a prospective mental health treatment center. The above questions are important to consider when finding help for PTSD in Knoxville. While it’s important to receive professional support if you are struggling with PTSD, it’s also essential to find a PTSD recovery program that aligns with your unique recovery needs.
At Sanctuary Wellness, we offer mental health treatment in Tennessee to help patients struggling with mental illness. We offer a range of treatment services to ensure clients receive the best possible care centered around their exact recovery needs. You never have to struggle alone with your mental illness. Contact us today to learn more about how you can start your recovery journey.