PTSD/Complex Trauma

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) /Complex Trauma affects people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. PTSD/Complex Trauma arises due to traumatic experiences, causing various symptoms, including anxiety, flashbacks, and excessive anger, among others. If you have PTSD/Complex Trauma, patient-focused psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) Dominique Sanders, PhD, PMHNP, can help you process your feelings and restore a sense of well-being at Raelin Bright Wellness. The practice welcomes patients in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada, as well as Phoenix/ Tuscon, Arizona, Seattle, Washington and Los Angeles/ Sacramento, Bay Area, Oakland, San Francisco, California, so arrange your telepsychiatry appointment online or call the office today. 

What is PTSD?

Traumatic experiences usually result in feelings of fear, anger, sorrow, and other negative emotions. Typically, these emotions resolve with time, but sometimes negative feelings don’t go away after the traumatic event. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arises when the emotions related to the event lead to ongoing symptoms that interfere with your daily life, work, or personal relationships. 

What types of experiences can cause PTSD?

Many people associate PTSD with combat experience, but any type of trauma can lead to PTSD. 

Examples of trauma include:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual assault
• Domestic violence
• Disasters, such as fire or earthquakes
• Automobile accidents
• Childhood neglect

Witnessing violence or a traumatic event can also cause PTSD. The coronavirus pandemic is an example of an extended traumatic experience. 

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD affects everyone differently. You may not experience PTSD symptoms for months or years after the event. You could have many PTSD-related symptoms or just a few.

Some of the most common PTSD symptoms include:

• Involuntary memories or flashbacks
• Easy startle response
• Intrusive thoughts
• Angry outbursts
• Reckless behavior
• Severe anxiety
• Depression
• Sleep disturbances
• Thoughts of self-harm or harming others

PTSD can also lead to substance abuse and may affect your physical health. Associated health conditions include heart disease, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders.

How does a provider treat PTSD?

Dominique takes a whole-person approach to PTSD treatment. She helps you regain emotional control and restore physical wellness through talk therapy and alternative, holistic treatments.

During talk therapy, Dominique helps you process the emotions around your traumatic experience. She uses techniques to help you understand the relationship between your body and feelings. This allows you to integrate the experience, so it remains in your past rather than affecting you in the present. 

She also guides you in investigating other aspects of your life and personality. This helps you understand how certain circumstances and relationships affect you. As talk therapy progresses, you develop healthy boundaries, coping strategies, and methods of communication.

Dominique uses mindfulness techniques, such as breathing exercises or meditation, to help you learn to relax and stay present during challenging moments. She may also recommend herbs, supplements, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. 

To schedule a virtual consultation, call Raelin Bright Wellness or book online.

Notes:

Feels that there will be an influx of individuals who have had severe mental health problems due to coronavirus and wants to get ahead by advertising this service earlier, will be offering one month free for essential/front line workers for the virus