Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can leave people feeling trapped and isolated, but support and healing are possible. At Northeast Health Services, we understand how challenging it can be to face the emotional and psychological impacts of trauma. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or someone you love, our compassionate team of mental health experts is here to guide you through every step of the healing process.
If you’re looking for PTSD treatment in Massachusetts, you can call 508.794.8711 or schedule your first appointment at one of our clinics in Boston, Cambridge, Springfield, Worcester, and across the state.
Signs & Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD happens when someone has a difficult time recovering after experiencing a traumatic event (or multiple, ongoing events—called complex PTSD). A traumatic experience directly affects the brain’s function, particularly areas that process fear and regulate emotions. It can also manifest in physical symptoms, which may include increased heart rate, chronic fatigue, or even immune system concerns.
For some, the effects of trauma might come as flashbacks or troubling memories of the traumatic event. Others might have difficulty trusting others, feel disconnected from themselves or loved ones, or become emotionally numb.
Common symptoms of PTSD include:
- Recurring flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories
- Heightened alertness or being easily startled
- Avoiding places, people, or situations that remind them of the trauma
- Struggles with sleep or concentration
- Difficulty maintaining close relationships
- Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or guilt
- Dissociation, “zoning out,” or emotional numbness
Are you or a loved one dealing with PTSD?
If you’ve been dealing with symptoms related to trauma for a long time, it can feel like nothing will ever change. Thankfully, our experienced, trauma-informed care professionals can make a huge difference in how you’re able to show up for yourself and your family. PTSD treatment in Massachusetts is only a call away.
Causes of PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. Trauma impacts everyone differently, so there’s no “one-size-fits-all” experience of PTSD. What might be traumatic for one person may not necessarily be traumatic for another.
One common misconception about PTSD is the idea that it only happens to soldiers in combat or people who have experienced extreme violence. This is not true—PTSD can occur after any trauma and can also develop years after the traumatic event.
Examples of situations that could trigger intense fear or helplessness include:
- Military combat
- Physical or sexual assault
- Natural disasters
- Serious accidents
- A sudden dangerous illness
Complex Trauma
The situations listed above typically describe a single event that caused trauma, but other people develop “Complex PTSD” after experiencing chronic, inescapable negative situations which can seem less overtly “intense” than more well-known causes of PTSD. Some people draw a distinction between “Big T” trauma (like the events above) and “Little T” trauma. While certain situations aren’t as extreme as military combat, they can still result in genuine trauma symptoms.
Situations that could lead to complex PTSD include:
- Long-term emotional abuse or neglect
- Bullying or harassment
- Harmful religious indoctrination
- Chronic stress
- Poverty and lack of resources
Again, not everyone will develop complex PTSD after these experiences. Everyone responds differently to what life throws at them, depending on their genetics and biology, and protective factors like community support and strong coping skills.
Treatments for PTSD
Healing from trauma and PTSD typically involves therapy. Many of our therapists have specific training in evidence-based therapies for trauma and use a trauma-informed approach to care. For many people, adding in medication, mindfulness practices, or including their family in treatment can make a huge difference in how they feel.
Therapy
Trauma-focused therapy techniques involve working with a trained specialist to process the emotions that resulted from the traumatic event, and may or may not include modalities like EMDR, accelerated resolution therapy, or trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.
Many people fear that PTSD treatment must involve re-experiencing their trauma, but that’s not the case. Our skilled therapists can help you work at your own pace, and many trauma therapies do not involve having to re-live whatever caused the trauma.
Mindfulness Exercises
Techniques to help you reconnect with your body can be instrumental in helping you heal your body-mind connection, which often gets severed after a traumatic event. Our trauma-informed therapists can help you incorporate deep breathing, yoga, and other grounding exercises into your routines, which can make a huge difference in day-to-day symptoms.
Medication
For some clients, medication can be part of healing from PTSD, especially if they have other co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression. Our trauma-informed psychiatrists can help determine whether this could be a part of your PTSD treatment plan.
Family Therapy
For those who underwent a major trauma event, involving family members in the recovery process can open up pathways of understanding and support, fostering a healing environment beyond the therapy office. Our therapists are happy to talk with your family members about how to best support you.
What’s the Outlook for Someone with PTSD?
If you’ve just experienced a traumatic event, it’s possible that your body and mind will recover on their own. However, if it’s been several weeks and you still feel on edge and experience other symptoms, it’s hard to say whether you’ll be able to fully recover without professional help. Those who seek treatment for trauma and PTSD generally feel better faster than those who try to tough it out on their own.
How Can Loved Ones Support Someone With PTSD?
If someone you love is living with post-traumatic stress disorder, the most important thing you can do is to approach them with patience and understanding. Showing up to support your loved one’s practical needs, while respecting their agency and boundaries, can go a long way in helping them heal.
Here are a few suggestions for supporting a loved one recovering from PTSD or a traumatic event:
- Educate yourself about PTSD: Understanding what they’re going through can help you respond with empathy instead of frustration.
- Respect their needs and boundaries: Give them space when needed, and don’t force conversations about their trauma.
- Encourage them to seek treatment: Offer support by helping them research therapy options or driving them to their appointments.
- Foster open communication: Make it clear to your loved one that you’re ready to listen whenever they need to talk, and never minimize their experience.
- Take care of yourself, too: Supporting someone with PTSD can lead to a variety of emotions and concerns. Prioritize your well-being by seeking your own support if needed.
Healing is a team effort, and by providing consistent care and compassion, loved ones can play a powerful role in their family member’s recovery.
The Benefits of Seeking PTSD Treatment at Northeast Health Services
If you or a loved one are dealing with the aftershocks of a traumatic event, it’s natural to feel hesitant about reaching out for help. However, our trauma-informed care teams across Massachusetts have the tools to help each person heal at a pace that is healthy and appropriate for them.
Here are just a few of the ways our clinics go beyond some other mental healthcare options for those in Massachusetts:
- We’re in-network with most insurance providers (including Medicaid and Medicare), so you could have just a small copay for treatment
- Our compassionate mental health experts collaborate on care for each client, meaning you have access to a whole team of supportive professionals
- Our clinics are conveniently located all across the state, or you access telehealth services if that’s more convenient for you
- Our trauma-informed therapists can help you develop coping skills and improve your relationships
- Have ongoing access to whichever care solutions will work best for you, whether that’s therapy, medication, or both
Connect With Northeast Health Services to Start PTSD Treatment in Massachusetts
Whether you’re navigating post-traumatic stress disorder yourself or walking alongside a loved one, our dedicated team at Northeast Health Services is ready to provide expert, compassionate care.
Here’s what you can expect when seeking PTSD treatment at Northeast Health Services:
- Get started with a brief phone call with our trained intake team to ensure you know your insurance coverage and any copays
- Schedule your first appointment at one of our conveniently located clinics across Massachusetts, or talk with your provider about whether telehealth is a good fit for you
- Work with an experienced therapist to address and process any unresolved emotions and learn tools for managing triggers
- If appropriate, see one of our psychiatry professionals to help alleviate symptoms through medication
- Learn how to heal your relationships through couples or family therapy
Contact our caring team today at 508.794.8711 or fill out a quick form to learn more about our specialized PTSD treatments in Boston, Springfield, Cambridge, and all over Massachusetts.
FAQs About PTSD
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What does it feel like to have PTSD?
One of the main symptoms of PTSD is having flashbacks and nightmares, so at its worst, having PTSD feels like reliving a nightmare over and over again. This can make someone feel jumpy, on edge, irritable, and like it’s hard to have any hope or positive feelings. These symptoms might be evident from the outside, or someone could be really good at hiding how they feel, thinking they can cope if they just “keep it inside.”
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How do I recover from PTSD?
The best thing you can do to recover from PTSD is to get professional help right away. A therapist who specializes in trauma can help you process the negative emotions associated with your experience and learn more tools to help you heal.
You can also work your way toward recovering from PTSD by talking about the trauma with people you trust, spending time with loved ones, joining a support group, and tending to your physical health as best you can. This includes boosting your sleep hygiene, eating nourishing foods, and avoiding overusing substances.
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Is PTSD considered a mental illness?
Yes, PTSD is a serious mental health condition. It involves actual changes in the brain due to the trauma experienced. This is why it’s so important to work with a mental health professional to heal the parts of your brain that were injured.
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What are common PTSD triggers?
Common PTSD triggers include loud noises, crowds, physical touch, seeing a report of a similar incident, or really anything that reminds the person of the trauma—this could be seeing someone related to the trauma, being in the same (or a similar) place, or even a scent.
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What not to do around someone with PTSD?
The biggest thing to remember is that someone with PTSD experienced a traumatic event that stripped them of agency in that moment, so any way you act that doesn’t support the person’s autonomy could be triggering. Avoid touching them without permission or overwhelming them with too many questions, and, most importantly, don’t minimize or invalidate their experience. Each person’s triggers will be unique, so if they’re comfortable talking about it, asking directly what to avoid could be helpful.