PTSD
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About PTSD
Approximately 6% of people in America will have PTSD at some point, and 4% of children under age 18 experience a trauma that leads to the disorder. Emem Nkanga, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, and the team at Mindful Solutions Psychiatry in Garland, Texas, offer expert and compassionate PTSD care to patients aged ten and older. If you or a loved one have experienced a traumatic life event resulting in feelings of blame, regret, fear, nightmares, or flashbacks, the team is ready to help you. Call the office or book a consultation online.
PTSD Q & A
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that occurs after a traumatic life event you experience or witness. Even after the event passes, you may still feel frightened or experience intense memories or flashbacks.
Car accidents, war, injury, natural disasters, the death of a family member, or any type of abuse can lead to PTSD.
Children may have PTSD if they experience an animal bite, neglect, bullying, invasive medical procedures, or violent personal attacks.
Approximately 8% of women and 4% of men will experience PTSD. This statistic is partially due to the fact that women are more likely to experience a traumatic event — like sexual abuse — than men.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
For an official PTSD diagnosis, you must experience symptoms for over a month.
You may have one or more symptoms of avoidance — where you refuse to discuss the event or stay away from people or places that remind you of it. You may have one or more intrusion symptoms like nightmares or flashbacks to the event.
A PTSD diagnosis includes two or more mood and thinking symptoms like:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Feeling on guard
- Being easily startled
- Issues being affectionate
- Lack of sleep or oversleeping
- Numbness
- Memory loss
- Feelings of shame and guilt
- Hypersensitivity to perceived threats
Children with PTSD may be disruptive or aggressive or show regressive behaviors like thumb-sucking or bedwetting.
If left untreated, PTSD can lead to substance abuse, chronic headaches, and fatigue.
What are my PTSD treatment options?
At Mindful Solutions Psychiatry, PTSD treatment begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Your provider will carefully assess your symptoms, trauma history, and how they are affecting your daily functioning. Based on this assessment, a personalized treatment plan is created to support symptom relief and long-term stability.
Medication Management & GeneSight Testing
Medications are often an important part of PTSD treatment and can help reduce symptoms such as anxiety, hyperarousal, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. Common options may include:
- Antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs) to help regulate mood and anxiety
- Anti-anxiety medications, including short-term use of benzodiazepines when appropriate for acute symptoms
Because every individual responds differently to medications, we also offer GeneSight® testing, which helps guide medication selection based on your genetic profile. This can help:
- Improve medication effectiveness
- Reduce trial-and-error prescribing
- Minimize side effects
Your provider will closely monitor your response and adjust treatment as needed to ensure the best possible outcome.
Therapy Referrals & Supportive Care
While we do not provide psychotherapy services in-house, evidence-based trauma therapies are often highly beneficial for PTSD. If appropriate, your provider may refer you to qualified therapists for treatments such as trauma-focused therapy or other specialized approaches.
In addition to medication management, supportive strategies may be recommended, including:
- Maintaining a consistent sleep routine
- Regular physical activity
- Stress reduction techniques
- Healthy diet and lifestyle habits
- Structured daily routines for stability
Get Started Today
If you or a loved one is struggling with PTSD, compassionate and personalized psychiatric care is available. Contact Mindful Solutions Psychiatry today to schedule your consultation or book an appointment online.