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PTSD: MENTAL HEALTH
PROBLEMAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY GOING THROUGH AN intense, emotionally stressful
event—such as a natural disaster or the loss of a loved
Though it’s commonly associated with military one—can have a serious affect on a person’s mental
veterans, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can well-being. If those feelings make it hard to feel safe
in the world, they may be part of a medical issue
affect anyone. called PTSD.
““Everything about our lives is a story. Our beliefs about “PTSD is a misguided attempt by the brain to keep a
person safe after a traumatic event,” says Bonnie Cole,
life filter how we view that story. It is possible, through JD, LMFT, licensed marriage and family therapist and
therapy, to reframe a story layered with trauma. And when Director of Behavioral Health at Family Health Center,
this happens, it has the power to change everything.” Navicent Health. “It can cause a variety of hard-to-
handle symptoms in people’s lives, but thankfully,
–Bonnie Cole, JD, LMFT, licensed marriage and family therapist, Director of Behavioral PTSD responds well to treatment.”
Health at Family Health Center, Navicent Health
KNOW THE SIGNS
There is no expiration date on PTSD. Symptoms may
start immediately or begin later, even months or years
after a traumatic event, and can include:
• Replaying the event in the mind repeatedly
• Being easily startled
• Having negative thoughts or mood swings
• A voiding friends, family and anything that triggers
memories of the event
• Experiencing trouble sleeping
• Doing destructive things, such as biting or cutting
“If PTSD-like symptoms start early on—within one
month—the trauma is considered acute and symptoms
typically fade after time,” says James W. Brunson Jr.,
LAMFT, marriage and family therapist with Family
Health Center, Navicent Health. “In long-term PTSD,
someone may witness a house fire as a child and bury
the trauma, only to display symptoms in adulthood,
perhaps after witnessing another triggering event.
Treatment in that case would be different, but
recovery is still possible.”
HOPE AHEAD
Understanding PTSD and its symptoms can help
improve understanding of this condition and guide
people who have it to the assistance they need. The
sooner they seek treatment, the sooner they can
develop coping skills to navigate life.
This process often starts with a visit to a primary
care physician, who, after an initial evaluation,
connects a patient with a certified counselor.
Counselors have access to multiple resources,
including talk therapy, medications and mindfulness
techniques. These can improve symptoms and create
a greater sense of safety in people’s lives.
ARE YOU DEALING WITH SYMPTOMS THAT
COULD BE RELATED TO PTSD? SEEK HELP
AT FAMILY HEALTH CENTER, NAVICENT
HEALTH. CALL 478-633-6272 TO SCHEDULE
AN APPOINTMENT WITH A PHYSICIAN OR
COUNSELOR.
FALL 2017 | navicenthealth.org 11
