It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear triggers split-second responses in the body and brain to help defend against danger or to avoid it—we all experience that immediate fight, flight, or freeze reaction. With support and understanding, we typically can process, and move through a traumatic experience without getting stuck. Without support and understanding, trauma can be more difficult to resolve. Sometimes, repeated traumatic events become too much to handle.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. PTSD can develop by directly experiencing or witnessing an event as it occurred to others, or also by learning of actual or threatened violence toward a close family member or friend. People of all ages, cultures, and social standing can develop PTSD.

Symptoms of PSTD could include:

  • Intrusion symptoms—recurrent distressing memories, or dreams

  • Dissociative reactions—intense reactions to reminders of the trauma

  • Persistent avoidance of thoughts, feelings, or reminders of the trauma

  • Negative changes in thinking and mood as a result of the trauma

  • Behavior changes as a result of the trauma (anger outbursts, self-destructive behaviors, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, concentration difficulties, etc)

These symptoms cause significant distress and impact social, occupational, or educational functioning. If left untreated, PTSD can become chronic, with the individual spending a lot of effort, time, and energy avoiding memories of unresolved trauma and protecting against anticipated future traumas. This can impact our ability to effectively function in daily life.

PTSD can, however, be successfully treated and resolved. Comprehensive Healthcare provides evidence-based practice treatment options of Cognitive Processing Therapy for adults and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children, as well as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) for children and adults. Medication is sometimes considered as an adjunct to the therapy.

For more information or speak with someone about PTSD, contact a Comprehensive Healthcare center near you, Click Here.

Services are provided in the following locations:

Ellensburg
707 N. Pearl Street Ste E
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 925-7507

707 N. Pearl Street Ste K
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 925-9861

Goldendale
112 West Main Street
Goldendale, WA 98620
(509) 773-5801

Pasco
2715 Saint Andrews Loop, Ste C
Pasco, WA 99301
(509) 412-1051

Sunnyside
1319 Saul Road
Sunnyside, WA 98944
(509) 837-2089 Ext 2700

Walla Walla
1520 Kelly Place
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 522-4000

White Salmon
432 N.E. Tohomish Street
White Salmon, WA 98672
(509) 493-3400

Yakima
402 S. 4th Avenue
Yakima, WA 98902
(509) 575-4084