PTSD

Have you experienced a traumatic event that’s caused you to struggle with intrusive memories, heightened alertness, emotional numbness, or sleep disturbances? These may be signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can affect your daily life, relationships, work, and sense of safety. At Neurobloom Psychiatry in Temecula, California, board-certified psychiatrist Sandra Cox, MD, performs comprehensive evaluations and offers treatment to help you heal, stabilize your well-being, and provide lasting progress. Learn more by booking an appointment today by phone or online.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Trauma may involve accidents, abuse, violence, military combat, natural disasters, or other life-threatening situations. 

PTSD affects how your brain processes fear and stress, keeping your nervous system in a constant state of alert even after danger has passed. It’s not a sign of weakness but a medical condition that can interfere with your daily functioning, relationships, and emotional health.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD symptoms can look different for each person, but they typically fall into recognizable patterns. Common symptoms include:

• Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares related to the trauma
• Avoidance of people, places, or situations that trigger distress
• Ongoing feelings of fear, guilt, anger, or emotional numbness
• Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or relaxing
• Heightened startle response, irritability, or feeling constantly on edge

Symptoms may begin shortly after a traumatic event or appear months or years later. Without treatment, they can worsen over time and significantly affect quality of life.

What causes PTSD?

PTSD develops when your brain and nervous system struggle to recover after trauma. During a traumatic experience, your brain’s fear response becomes highly activated. In PTSD, this response remains overactive, making it difficult to feel safe again. Several factors can influence whether PTSD develops, including:

• The severity, duration, or repetition of the trauma
• Personal or family history of mental health conditions
• Level of support before and after the traumatic event
• Biological and genetic factors

Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, and each person’s response is unique.

How is PTSD treated?

At Neurobloom Psychiatry, PTSD treatment often includes psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. 

Trauma-focused therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) help you process traumatic memories in a safe, structured way. 

Dr. Cox may prescribe medications to reduce anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. She personalizes treatment plans to support your long-term healing.

If trauma-related symptoms are impacting your life, call the office or schedule an appointment online today to begin your path toward recovery.