Trauma and PTSD Therapy in NJ

PTSD Therapy

PTSD can seem like no matter how hard you try, you can’t free yourself from the flashbacks, night sweats, and numbness that keeps you reliving the worst experience of your life. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t forget.

You may even feel like the world is a dangerous place, so limiting your activities feels safe. And maybe you secretly worry that the trauma you experienced is still affecting you today. On some level, people who struggle in this way just want to “get over” whatever happened and move on. You just want it to be in your past.

But everything you’ve tried, like ignoring the problem, avoiding triggering environments and maybe trying some self-medication isn’t making it go away.

What does PTSD look like?

PTSD is not in your imagination. It’s real, it’s serious, and it’s physical. You’re not alone if you experience these PTSD symptoms:

Physical symptoms: PTSD creates physical symptoms that interfere with your life. Maybe you wake up in a cold sweat from horrible nightmares every night. You might keep re-experiencing the trauma: your heart races, you sweat, and you feel nauseated.

Avoiding life: When you have PTSD, you may avoid situations that seem similar to the trauma you experienced. Maybe you were in a car accident and find it hard to get into a car. Maybe you even avoid leaving the house entirely. You avoid things you used to enjoy in an attempt to avoid reliving the trauma.

Relationships suffer: PTSD can mean that you lose trust in other people, including your loved ones. Maybe you have withdrawn from your friends or partner and don’t understand why. Or maybe you thought things are OK, but your friends or partner complain that you are cold and avoid intimacy.

Isolated and disconnected: Most of all, PTSD can create feelings of extreme loneliness and isolation. Maybe you’re just not interested in life and daily activities anymore. Maybe you have withdrawn from the people and activities you used to enjoy. You may feel lonely but can’t reconnect with other people.

These are all common symptoms of PTSD. They are disruptive and painful. Luckily, therapy can help you get back to living life free from PTSD. Working in a safe, supportive relationship with a trained PTSD therapist can help you overcome your worst symptoms and reconnect with the people and experiences you’ve been missing.

Why see a PTSD specialist?

PTSD therapy with a qualified specialist can help reduce your symptoms and make it easier to live the best life possible. A therapist who specializes in PTSD has received specialized training and certifications. These qualifications mean that you are likely to recover faster and easier.

Our PTSD specialist, Mark Hayden, Ph.D., is highly qualified and has over 20 years of experience working with some of the most serious PTSD cases. But, most importantly, he really understands PTSD and is dedicated to helping people recover.

What causes PTSD?

PTSD arises when you are in a situation that is unsafe. Your PTSD symptoms are your mind’s attempts to keep you from further harm. However, PTSD can interfere with living your life.

You may develop PTSD from any of the following types of events:

• Serious accident
• Terrorist event
• Sexual assault or rape
• Natural disaster
• Physical assault or violence
• War/combat service
• Bearing witness to a traumatic event

Most people who have PTSD try to avoid thinking about or talking about their traumatic experience. Despite this, many feel like they can’t get the event out of their mind. PTSD can make you feel trapped in your own mind, unable to find relief and security.

Can you recover from PTSD?

There are several proven therapies that are proven to help people recover from PTSD. The foundation of our therapeutic work is providing you with a safe, trusting relationship in which you can heal.

A therapist who has knowledge of and experience with PTSD makes it more likely you will recover. Together, you can build a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship in which you can heal your trauma and recover from PTSD.

PTSD therapy in Morris County, New Jersey

We’re in Summit, NJ, and we serve Madison, Chatham, Florham Park, East Hanover, Morristown, and all other nearby communities in Morris County.