PTSD Treatment for Veterans

Posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, was known as “shell shock” after World War I and “combat fatigue” after World War II. Even though we currently extend the diagnosis of PTSD to those who have experienced any traumatic event, this condition has strong roots in war-related trauma. Many of our military members return from service with debilitating symptoms and life-long challenges. At Gateway Counseling Center, we believe it’s important for veterans’ PTSD treatment to be tailored to their individual experiences with combat and other war-related traumatic events. 

Symptoms of PTSD in Veterans

Dealing with the traumas associated with war can lead to symptoms such as suicidal thoughts, drug or alcohol abuse, and social isolation. Veterans can relive traumatic events through flashbacks, nightmares, and chronic disturbing thoughts. It’s important to remember that veterans can develop PTSD at any point in time after a traumatic event. PTSD symptoms can appear days, weeks, or even years later. Symptoms can also come and go depending on stress and anxiety levels, environment, lifestyle, and other factors. In addition, many veterans find it difficult to adjust to civilian life when they return from service, which can emphasize PTSD symptoms. Veterans experiencing the following PTSD symptoms are advised to seek treatment: 

• Behavioral: hyperarousal, extreme agitation, irritability, hostility, hypervigilance, self-destructive behavior, or social isolation
• Mood: inability to feel pleasure, guilt, shame, loneliness, anger, sadness, or overwhelming negativity
• Psychological: flashbacks, fear, severe anxiety, or mistrust 
• Sleep: insomnia or nightmares
• Also common: emotional detachment, unwanted thoughts, inability to make decisions 

How Veterans’ PTSD Treatment Can Help 

It’s common for veterans with PTSD to have overwhelming feelings of mistrust towards others. Many will avoid PTSD treatment or cut off communication with their support systems, family members, and close friends. This type of social isolation can create major obstacles for those who desperately need treatment and therapy. If you’re a veteran with PTSD who has avoided therapy, PTSD treatments, or counseling in the past, now is the time to seek help.

There have been many advancements in war-related PTSD treatments and therapies over the years. Our mental health professionals use scientifically-backed methods to help veterans cope with symptoms of PTSD. They’ve also learned to create safe physical and emotional spaces that can provide relief to those who have been exposed to the traumas of war. Studies show that veterans who receive PTSD treatment and therapy are more likely to reconnect with friends and family, have successful careers, and maintain positive mental and physical health. 

Our veterans have made major sacrifices for our country. All veterans deserve opportunities to have healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling lives beyond these traumatic events. The mental health professionals at Gateway Counseling Center support our veterans and urge them to seek the treatment they need to overcome the stress, anxiety, and other negative effects related to PTSD. The goal of our veterans’ PTSD treatment is to provide support and teach various coping strategies. While there is no specific cure for PTSD, we believe our psychological methods can help veterans manage their PTSD symptoms and develop better and brighter futures. 

Learn More about Veteran PTSD Treatment with Gateway Counseling Center 

If you’re a veteran who’s experiencing PTSD symptoms, or if you know a veteran who needs treatment, call us today to schedule an appointment 561-468-6464 or fill out this form online.

Our trusted and experienced mental health professionals at Gateway Counseling Center are committed to providing the support and treatment our veterans need to learn to cope with PTSD symptoms. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment in our office or online. 

Frequently Asked Questions about PTSD and Veteran PTSD Treatment  

At Gateway Counseling Center, we want all of our clients to have access to the information and resources they need. We understand that mental health counseling terminology, diagnoses, methods, and treatments can sometimes seem confusing or complex. Our mental health professionals are here to answer all of your questions and address your concerns. In addition, you can reference this list of frequently asked questions and answers about PTSD and how it can affect veterans. 

What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?

After someone witnesses or experiences a dangerous, terrifying, or alarming event, it can be difficult to recover. A traumatic event could be a car accident, domestic abuse, a natural disaster, physical combat, or other war-related events. It’s common for some people to experience things like heightened anxiety or stress after a traumatic event and recover in a relatively short period of time. Others will suffer from negative symptoms for much longer. Those with chronic symptoms are most likely to be diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. 

PSTD symptoms can include intense feelings of anxiety, fear, depression, sadness, or anger. Veterans or others with PTSD can relive traumatic events through flashbacks, nightmares, or persistent disturbing thoughts. These negative symptoms can appear daily or can be triggered by certain situations. For instance, veterans who have lived through explosions and gunfire might feel triggered by non-threatening loud noises, such as fireworks or thunder. If you or a loved one is dealing with chronic symptoms like the ones mentioned above, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. 

Contact the Gateway Counseling Center to learn more about what PTSD is and how our mental health professionals can help veterans. 

Is PTSD a severe mental illness?

The American Psychiatric Association defines Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a psychiatric disorder and PTSD is also included in the newest version of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) under Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders. While PTSD is considered a mental illness, the severity of PTSD will vary according to each individual and the trauma they witnessed or experienced. 

PTSD can appear in different forms for different people. A person who was in a car accident or suffered from childhood abuse might be triggered by different scenarios and have different symptoms than someone who fought in combat. This is why veterans need to seek out PTSD treatment that’s specific to war-related trauma. Dealing with the atrocities of war can be a completely different experience than something like a natural disaster. Veterans suffering from PTSD should be receiving tailored PTSD treatment that caters to their unique experiences. 

If you’d like to learn more about veteran PTSD diagnosis, signs, and symptoms, contact our office today. Our experienced mental health counselors can help you better understand this mental health disorder and our veterans’ PTSD treatment. 

How effective are PTSD treatments for veterans?

Before we discuss the effectiveness of PTSD treatments for veterans, it’s important to remember the uniqueness of each case. There’s no one-size-fits-all method to relieve every symptom of PTSD in veterans. Our goal is to make sure that each veteran receives the care, attention, and individualized treatment that works best for them. 

On average, veteran PTSD treatments are highly effective. In comparison to those veterans who do not seek treatment, veterans receiving some form of counseling, therapy, or PTSD treatment have better relationships, more successful careers, and tend to feel more positive about their futures. It’s incredibly difficult to treat PTSD on your own without the help of a professional. Learning different techniques to cope with triggers, nightmares, flashbacks, and negative emotions can help our veterans move on from their trauma and lead productive and fulfilling lives. 

Interested in hearing more about veteran PTSD treatments? Contact our office today to schedule an appointment. We have in-person and online counseling available.  

How do you treat PTSD in veterans?

We design each treatment to be customized for each veteran, but we do rely on strategies and methods that have proven to be successful when treating veterans with PTSD. Our counselors are experts in various approaches that are all considered effective in the realm of veteran PTSD treatments. For instance, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a type of PTSD treatment that our counselors might introduce to a veteran. This type of PTSD treatment focuses on war-related trauma and involves reframing negative thoughts related to traumatic events. The reframing process might be through discussion, written assignments, or other means. Reframing negative thoughts associated with war-related trauma can help create space for healing. 

Contact Gateway Counseling Center today to schedule an appointment to hear more about the various methods we use to treat veterans suffering from PTSD. 

Can PTSD cause personality changes?

Yes. A veteran suffering from PTSD will likely experience mild to severe personality changes that are often easily detected by friends and family members. For instance, you may know a veteran who was once described as laid-back, suddenly become easily agitated or angered in non-threatening situations. Changes in personality are a common symptom seen in veterans with PTSD. When committing to PTSD treatment, veterans can learn to identify any negative personality characteristics and use tools and techniques to conquer these harmful traits. 

What health conditions are associated with PTSD?

Doctors have identified a number of different health conditions that are commonly associated with PTSD. These include, but are not limited to: 

• Chronic aches and pains
• Arthritis 
• Cardiovascular problems and diseases
• Respiratory problems and diseases
• Digestive issues
• Alcoholism and drug addiction
• Diabetes
• Reproductive issues  

Leaving PTSD untreated can make these health conditions worse. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you’ve been experiencing any of the medical issues related to PTSD. Seeking PTSD treatment can help veterans feel better mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

Who can help me with PTSD?

While it’s crucial for veterans to receive support from friends, family, and their community, it’s highly recommended to see a professional in the mental health field for veteran PTSD treatment. Certified and licensed mental health counselors and therapists have extensive knowledge of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and treatments. A mental health counselor will use methods that have been clinically researched and are supported by scientific evidence. It’s never advised to deal with symptoms of PTSD alone. 

If you’re a veteran who is ready to discuss your PTSD treatment options, contact Gateway Counseling Center today. 

Does PTSD get worse with age?

It is highly likely that untreated PTSD can get worse with age. As veterans age, things like medical or financial issues may get worse. These common problems that are associated with aging can exacerbate symptoms of PTSD in veterans. 

What do you do when someone has a PTSD flashback?

It can be very difficult for friends and family members to have to witness someone they love have a PTSD flashback. Flashbacks can appear in different ways. They may lead to aggressive or violent behavior or make someone lose all awareness of what’s going on around them. The most important thing a friend or family member can do is remain calm. Offer simple, compassionate, and comforting words and remind them that everything is going to be okay. 

Friends and family members of veterans with PTSD can contact Gateway Counseling Center to learn how to help their loved ones deal with flashbacks, nightmares, or common triggers. While it may be the veteran who has had the traumatic experience, PTSD can affect everyone. We believe it’s important for friends and family members of veterans to also have access to mental health resources. If you’re a loved one of a veteran and you believe you can benefit from counseling, contact Gateway Counseling Center today. 

What happens if PTSD is left untreated?

The consequences of leaving PTSD untreated can be dangerous and severe. When veterans suffer from heightened levels of stress and anxiety for extended periods, it can cause a lot of physical damage to the brain and body. Leaving PTSD untreated isn’t only physically harmful, but it can also be detrimental to their mental health and overall well-being. Veterans who don’t seek help for PTSD are often left with a lot of challenges in almost every area of their life. This is why it’s so important for veterans to address PTSD symptoms and receive the treatment they need. 

Boynton Beach Gateway Counseling Center is located at:

Contact us today to learn more about how our counselors can provide veteran PTSD treatment.