PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a human response to extreme stress. When PTSD symptoms persist and disrupt your daily life, professional treatment helps you recover and regain control. At Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, in Abilene, Texas, licensed professional counselor Eva Foster, LPC, diagnoses and treats PTSD to help you discover a sense of calm. Schedule a PTSD evaluation at Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a condition affecting your mental health. It impacts some people who have experienced trauma, including military combat, domestic and other forms of abuse, and neglect. Left untreated, PTSD can cause nightmares, flashbacks, distressing memories, and other bothersome symptoms. 

PTSD affects your emotional, physical, and/or spiritual well-being. Eva offers highly effective therapies to help you combat PTSD symptoms and flourish in everyday situations.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD symptoms include:

• Intrusive thoughts related to past trauma
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Anxiety, mood swings, or depression
• Guilt
• Shame
• Avoiding situations linked to traumatic events
• Distress
• Always being on guard
• Getting startled easily
• Constant fear and worry
• Memory loss surrounding trauma
• Negative thoughts
• Feeling detached from other people
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Irritability
• Angry outbursts
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Hypervigilance (being over-cautious)
• Destructive or reckless behavior patterns
• Substance misuse

Your symptoms could be mild to severe. If they negatively affect your quality of life, see Eva at Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, for a personalized treatment plan.

What are the risk factors for PTSD?

Any traumatic event can cause PTSD. Examples include:

• Experiencing or witnessing violence
• Loss of a loved one
• Childhood neglect
• Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse
• Car accidents
• Sudden illnesses
• Severe injuries
• Military combat
• Getting bullied
• Natural disasters

Acute stress disorder is a short-term form of distress that can appear within the first month after trauma. 

Symptoms lasting longer than four weeks might meet PTSD criteria. Up to 10% of people who experience trauma develop PTSD, and up to 80% of the population experiences a traumatic event.

Complex PTSD is a condition that develops due to long-term trauma, like domestic violence, being in combat, or childhood abuse or neglect. It can cause problems with your sense of self, relationships, and/or emotional regulation.

How is PTSD diagnosed?

Eva diagnoses PTSD by completing a psychiatric evaluation. She reviews your past trauma, childhood experiences, moods, emotions, behaviors, and lifestyle. She personalizes a PTSD treatment offering exceptional mental health outcomes.

How is PTSD treated?

PTSD treatment with Eva at Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, can consist of:

• Cognitive processing therapy
• Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
• Prolonged exposure therapy
• Group therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Trauma-focused CBT
• Mindfulness-based therapy
• Person-centered therapy
• Somatic therapy
• Veterans counseling

Eva can meet with you individually or with family members weekly (or as needed) to overcome past trauma, recover resilience, and find a sense of calm.

Schedule a PTSD evaluation with Eva at Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.