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Effective treatment for PTSD can include a variety of elements, including evidence-based therapies, natural healing techniques, prescription medications, and various other methods. If you have been seeking treatment for yourself or a loved one, it is important to understand all the options that are available to you. This includes educating yourself about services that promote healing from PTSD naturally. 

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that develops after a life-threatening occurrence. People may begin to have PTSD symptoms in the aftermath of one traumatic event, several traumatic events, or continued exposure to trauma. 

Examples of experiences that may trigger the onset of PTSD include military combat, physical attacks, sexual assault, child abuse or neglect, serious illnesses, automobile accidents, and acts of terrorism. The common thread among these occurrences is that they cause a person to fear for their life or for the life of someone they care about.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that about 6.8% of adults in the United States will develop PTSD at some point during their lifetime. PTSD appears to be more common among women than among men. NIMH data indicates that PTSD affects about 5.2% of women and 1.8% of men.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD can affect how a person thinks, feels, behaves, and interacts with other people. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a person who has PTSD may experience the following symptoms:

• Recurring, distressing memories of the traumatic event
• Nightmares related to the traumatic event
• Flashbacks, or dissociative experiences during which the person feels that they are reliving the trauma
• Intense psychological pain that is brought about by events, locations, people, or other experiences that remind them of the traumatic event
• Being unable to remember certain aspects of the traumatic event
• Losing the ability to feel joy or experience pleasure
• Believing that they are inherently flawed or to blame for the traumatic event 
• Constantly feeling that they are in danger

People who have PTSD may also exhibit signs such as the following:

• Changing their behaviors to avoid painful memories or reminders of the traumatic event
• Acting recklessly, destructively, or in an otherwise dangerous manner
• Finding it difficult or impossible to focus or concentrate
• Pulling away from friends and family members
• Abusing alcohol or other drugs
• Being easily startled
• Having dramatic mood swings, including outbursts of anger or aggression

Clearly, the signs and symptoms of PTSD can have a profound negative impact on a person’s life. Thankfully, PTSD is a treatable condition. When a person who has PTSD gets the right type and level of professional care, they can experience true healing and improved quality of life.

What is Natural Healing?

Natural healing is sometimes referred to as holistic treatment or alternative healing. These terms are typically applied to approaches that do not involve medication or invasive medical procedures. Natural healing or holistic treatment may employ a variety of traditional techniques and emerging methods to address the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of mental illnesses. People who participate in natural healing may learn to develop healthier ways of thinking and make essential behavioral changes so that they are better able to manage the symptoms they have been experiencing.

Healing Naturally from PTSD

A program that supports healing naturally from PTSD may include elements such as the following:

Mindfulness & Meditation

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, without being judgmental or reactive to our thoughts and experiences. Mindfulness is one of the four focus areas of dialectical behavior therapy, a therapeutic approach that has proved to be effective for people who have PTSD. Meditation is a personal practice that can help people develop a more mindful perspective on life.

Nutrition & Exercise

Eating well and getting appropriate amounts of physical activity are important parts of a healthy lifestyle. These practices won’t eliminate PTSD symptoms on their own, but they can help a person adopt a healthier and more resilient mindset. Proper diet and exercise have also been associated with improved mood and better stress management capabilities.

Yoga

Yoga is a centuries-old practice that promotes a healthy mind-body connection. When incorporated into a comprehensive PTSD treatment plan, yoga can help people achieve a greater sense of serenity. It can also be a beneficial means of identifying and easing the physical symptoms of stress that can be characteristic of PTSD.

EMDR

EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, is a form of therapy that can free people from the distress of traumatic memories. EMDR therapy sessions use rapid eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help people develop healthier emotional responses to memories of trauma events or other difficult experiences.

How to Find PTSD Treatment in Nashville, TN

There is no such thing as one perfect type of treatment for PTSD. Instead, you want to find the place that aligns most closely with your history, needs, and expectations.

When you are evaluating a PTSD treatment program, it can be valuable to ask the following questions:

• What levels of care do you provide?
• What are the qualifications of your treatment professionals?
• How will you determine what services are right for me?
• How will you decide how long I need to remain in treatment?
• Do you offer natural healing techniques or holistic therapies?
• Do you provide family therapy or family support services?
• Can you describe your aftercare planning services?

When you contact Arbor Wellness, a member of our team will be happy to answer these and any other questions. We want to be sure that you have the information you need to make the best decisions about your treatment and your health.

Begin Treatment for PTSD in Nashville, TN

If your life has been disrupted by post-traumatic stress disorder or other effects of trauma, Arbor Wellness can help. We offer personalized services and compassionate support at multiple levels of care, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programming, and outpatient therapy. Our team of dedicated professionals can assess your needs and provide the focused care that’s right for you. Visit our admissions page or contact us directly to learn more.