Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects the lives of millions, influencing day-to-day experiences in ways that can feel confusing or overwhelming. It isn’t just lingering memories or bad dreams — it’s a complex response to trauma that can adversely impact how we feel, think, and interact with the world.
At the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC), we take a unique approach to PTSD treatment, offering individuals empathetic, personalized care to help them regain control over their lives. By understanding how PTSD develops, how its symptoms affect daily life, its connection to compulsive behaviors such as substance use, and the supportive treatment options at CMC, you can begin your healing journey and find balance and fulfillment in your life.
PTSD is a condition that’s often triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event (e.g. violence, natural disasters, accidents, or any life-threatening situation) and causes distressing reactions when individuals are exposed to certain triggers. While everyone processes trauma differently, PTSD can cause symptoms that persist for months, even years. Recognizing these symptoms is the first step toward getting help.
Intrusive Memories
These may include flashbacks, nightmares, or recurring distressing thoughts about the traumatic event. It can feel like the terrifying event is happening all over again, even if a lot of time has passed.
Avoidance
People with PTSD may avoid places, people, or activities that remind them of the trauma. They may avoid certain emotions or conversations about or related to the event making healing difficult.
Increased Reactivity
PTSD often leads to hypervigilance, where individuals feel constantly on edge, jumpy, or unable to relax. Sleep disturbances, irritability, and difficulty concentrating are also typical.
Changes in Mood and Thinking
Emotional numbness, feelings of guilt or shame, and negative thoughts about oneself or the world are common among people struggling with PTSD.
Body Ailments
PTSD can also manifest physically after the body has been subjected to intense stress for a long time. Headaches, stomach issues, dizziness, and a weak immune system are some challenges that can arise.
While PTSD can manifest in various ways, these symptoms often disrupt everyday life, affecting work, relationships, and mental well-being. If you are struggling with PTSD, finding a supportive PTSD treatment center that uses scientifically-proven practices is essential to regaining control over your life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects millions of Americans, with particularly high rates among survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Studies show that about 94% of women who experience sexual assault develop PTSD symptoms in the immediate aftermath, with about 30% continuing to experience symptoms years later. Sexual trauma is the leading cause of PTSD among civilians, affecting roughly 1 in 3 survivors.
Overall, about 6% of the U.S. population will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. While combat veterans and first responders face elevated risks due to repeated exposure to trauma, sexual assault survivors actually show higher rates of PTSD than combat veterans, highlighting the profound psychological impact of sexual violence. PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, from natural disasters to accidents to violent crimes.
Thankfully, evidence-based PTSD treatment can effect improvements and we are lucky to see these changes in our work with CMC clients. Clients who have completed treatment for PTSD at CMC have shown statistically significant reductions in various symptom categories, with average PTSD symptom severity decreasing by 84%, as assessed by the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale Interview (PSSI) for the DSM-5.
In our residential treatment program, CMC:Berkshires, 80% of our clients who met criteria for PTSD and completed trauma treatment no longer meet a clinical cut-off for PTSD by the end of treatment (clients received an average of 13 specific sessions for trauma treatment in addition to usual CMCB programming).
By focusing on personalized care and evidence-based approaches, CMC empowers clients to reclaim their lives from the grip of PTSD.
Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. So, why do some people develop it while others do not? The answer lies in a combination of factors, including the nature of the trauma, personal history, and genetics.
Severity and Duration of Trauma
The more severe or prolonged the traumatic event, the higher the likelihood of developing PTSD. Events such as repeated exposure to violence, abuse, or combat are particularly associated with the disorder.
Personal and Family History
People with a history of mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, may be more vulnerable to PTSD. A family history of trauma or mental illness can also increase susceptibility.
Biological Factors
Studies suggest that individuals with PTSD may have different stress responses, such as heightened levels of cortisol and adrenaline, the body’s stress hormones.
Lack of Social Support
Individuals who feel isolated or unsupported during or after the trauma are more likely to develop PTSD. A strong support system can serve as a protective factor, reducing the emotional toll of the experience.
This combination of factors makes PTSD a complex condition requiring comprehensive treatment strategies. Finding the right PTSD treatment center is essential to providing tailored, holistic care. At CMC, we don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we get to understand the personal experiences you’ve gone through and work out the most effective plan for your unique needs.
How PTSD Develops
PTSD symptoms can take months or even years after trauma before they surface. This delayed response can be disorienting since some believe they have moved past the trauma, only to find themselves struggling with its aftermath.
PTSD begins when the brain and body cannot process the traumatic event in a healthy way. Instead of allowing the memory to be stored in a way that feels manageable, the body becomes “stuck” in survival mode. The result is a constant state of alertness, with the brain continuously scanning for threats that no longer exist. This fight-or-flight response creates an imbalance in the nervous system, leading to the various symptoms of PTSD.
The Connection Between PTSD and Substance Use
For many individuals, PTSD doesn’t exist in isolation. It is often accompanied by other behaviors, particularly substance use and compulsive behaviors such as gambling, overeating, or excessive spending. These behaviors often develop as coping mechanisms, offering a temporary escape from the distressing feelings associated with PTSD.
When PTSD sufferers turn to substances like alcohol or drugs, they may find short-term relief from anxiety or emotional pain. However, this form of “self-medication” often exacerbates the issue in the long run. Substance use can intensify PTSD symptoms, creating a vicious cycle where both the trauma and the substance use feed off each other. At CMC, we understand this complex relationship and offer integrated treatment options that address both PTSD and substance use or other compulsive behaviors, breaking the cycle with compassionate care.
How PTSD is Treated
There is no one-size-fits-all way to treat PTSD which is why personalized care is so critical. Treatment can take many forms depending on the severity of the condition and the individual’s specific needs.
- Trauma-focused CBT helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs about their trauma
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a specific form of CBT for trauma, helps people process stuck points in their thinking and modify beliefs about why the trauma occurred. Key components of this treatment include psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, gradual exposure to trauma memories, and developing coping skills.
There is strong evidence that these treatments reduce PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety related to trauma.
Outpatient PTSD treatment is sufficient in some cases, but for those whose symptoms are severe and life-disrupting, residential PTSD treatment may be necessary. Residential settings provide individuals with a structured environment to focus on healing without external pressures or distractions.
PTSD Treatment at CMC
We know that PTSD can be effectively managed and that one can reclaim control over one's life with the proper support.
Our treatment options for PTSD include outpatient services and telehealth for those who prefer to stay in their home environment as they go through treatment, and residential PTSD treatment for those who require more immersive care.
CMC integrates a variety of therapies, including CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE & COPE), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR), Written Exposure Therapy (WET), and family support through the Invitation to Change (ITC) framework, ensuring that each person’s journey is met with compassion and respect. Our goal is to help individuals develop the skills and tools necessary to overcome PTSD and move forward with resilience.
Reach out to us today to learn more about how our PTSD treatment center can help you or your loved one find change.