Post-Traumatic Stress
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: PTSD Treatment Center
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress that results from injury or severe psychological shock.
When individuals have PTSD, they typically experience sleep disturbance and constant vivid flashbacks of an experience. They suffer from a lack of feeling and dulled response to other people and events and the outside world in general.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is caused by a traumatic event that’s usually life changing. These events usually occur on a personal level and can be heard or seen.
If you’re seeking a private, compassionate environment that restores your mind, body, and spirit, contact us today or call 888-958-7511 and take the first step toward healing and renewal at Avalon Malibu.
PTSD can be caused by the following life-changing events:
When a traumatic event occurs, the person experiencing it usually does not expect it to happen. There is a feeling of danger and fear involved with a loss of control. Stress-related reactions after a traumatic event are normal occurrences, and not everyone will arrive at a PTSD diagnosis. PTSD is disruptive to a person’s everyday life. The family may even be affected by PTSD if the reactions to the traumatic event do not go away over time. PTSD treatment would be the best option when diagnosed with this disorder.
- Car Accidents
- War and Combat
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
- Unexpected attack or assault
- Natural disasters
Development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
When a traumatic event takes place in people's lives, they tend to instigate coping mechanisms initially. They may have nightmares and trouble sleeping. They may change their eating habits. They may become unhappy and begin drinking alcohol or taking drugs to self-medicate. Most people who go through a traumatic event will reveal symptoms in the beginning.
Individuals who have PTSD may also suffer from feelings of hopelessness, shame, despair, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, employment problems, and relationship issues.
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Call 1-888-958-7511Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sometimes, post-traumatic stress disorder may not be recognized at the onset. Symptoms will usually manifest over a period of time. They may fluctuate over the years and vary in levels of impact. When symptoms last over one month and cause distress, or interfere with work or home life, the evidence supports a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Indicators defining when post-traumatic stress disorder treatment is necessary:
Re-experiencing symptoms: This occurs when bad memories and nightmares surface. Often people with these symptoms feel as if they are reliving the traumatic event.
Avoidance: Avoiding situations that bring a familiarity to the traumatic event. Individuals may completely avoid talking or thinking about the event or situations or places that remind them of the event.
Adverse changes occur: These can be thoughts of self-loathing, fear, shame, guilt, etc. They may withdraw from others and activities they previously loved.
Anxious state of being: When an individual is constantly alert and on edge, looking out for trouble or danger, while having trouble concentrating and sleeping, this is called hyperarousal. This symptom is a serious negative indicator for PTSD.
Our Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Center Takes a Holistic Approach
At Avalon Malibu, we treat the entire person and awaken the mind, body, and spirit, using a holistic treatment approach. When our clients arrive at the Grand House for post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, we teach coping skills using psychotherapy (sometimes called counseling) and sometimes prescribe medication.
Clients meet one-on-one with a licensed therapist three times per week while they stay in our safe and nurturing environment. We impart cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PTSD, where clients learn skills to understand how trauma affected them.
We strive to help individuals face and change their thoughts and feelings in our Avalon Sanctuary Model. This PTSD treatment approach allows adults to have the opportunity to reflect on education and mindfulness training while gaining insight into these scientific and evidence-based therapies.
Practicing Mindfulness for Trauma Recovery
Mindfulness and psychoeducation allow PTSD clients to exit the loop of anxiety and to re-experience, fostering change through deepening awareness of conditioned and nearly automatic fear responses. By simply experiencing the moment, mindfulness meditation detaches clients from the assumptions, emotional reactions and impulses that can occur when psychological tensions become triggered.
Acting merely as a mediator to thought and experience, mindfulness meditation diffuses emotional tensions. Mindfulness meditation allows clients to slow down while investigating emotional situations and reaching empowered decisions. Through the creation of a dedicated and peaceful inner space, clients can allow pivotal issues surrounding trauma to emerge and resolve.
PTSD Treatment Program Methods
Therapies like neurofeedback and somatic experiencing help to rewire alterations in neural pathways and brain chemistry that occur when trauma activates the body’s “fight or flight” response. Our clinical team works with clients to uncover and heal traumatic memories that have been buried, repressed or “stuck,” due to their inherent emotional pain and psychological distress.
Therapists help clients to resolve underlying traumas to free clients from PTSD symptoms and negative belief structures.
Our PTSD treatments include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
- Acceptance commitment therapy (ACT)
Addiction and PTSD Treatment
As they face the engulfing effects of trauma, people living with PTSD often develop addictions as they seek to self-medicate with alcohol and drug use. They may also experience continued dependency on prescriptions aimed at alleviating anxiety. In fact, studies show that individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder experience drug and alcohol addictions at double the rate of their non-traumatized peers.
Our PTSD treatment program balances professional, on-site detoxification with symptom management, psychoeducation and in-depth therapy, while consciously avoiding overmedication that can mask trauma symptoms or place clients at risk for addiction.
PTSD Treatment Timeline
There is no universal timeline for PTSD recovery. Treatment length depends on the individual's symptoms, diagnosis, trauma history, co-occurring conditions, previous treatment, and response to therapy.
Phase 1: Assessment
Treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment of PTSD symptoms, trauma history, mental health, physical health, medications, substance use, and treatment history.
Phase 2: Stabilization and Safety
Early treatment may focus on establishing safety, developing coping skills, improving sleep, reducing acute distress, and building a therapeutic relationship.
Phase 3: Trauma-Focused Treatment
When the individual is clinically ready, treatment may progress toward evidence-based trauma-focused psychotherapy such as EMDR, CPT, or PE.
Phase 4: Integration
Clients begin applying therapeutic skills to relationships, work, stress, emotional regulation, and everyday life.
Phase 5: Continuing Care
Before leaving residential treatment, the clinical team develops an aftercare plan designed to support continued progress after discharge.
PTSD Aftercare and Long-Term Recovery
Recovery from PTSD does not necessarily end when residential treatment ends. Continuing care may include individual psychotherapy, psychiatric follow-up, medication management, family therapy, outpatient treatment, mindfulness, physical activity, and other supportive practices.
An effective aftercare plan should identify potential triggers, early warning signs, coping strategies, professional resources, and people who can provide appropriate support.
For individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders, aftercare should address both PTSD and substance use rather than treating them as unrelated conditions.
The goal is not simply to eliminate every difficult memory. Recovery may involve developing the ability to experience memories, emotions, and reminders without allowing them to control everyday life.
PTSD and the Brain
Trauma can affect systems involved in fear, stress, memory, attention, and emotional regulation. PTSD symptoms can therefore involve both psychological and physiological responses.
A person may understand that they are safe while still experiencing an automatic stress response to a reminder of the trauma.
This helps explain why simply telling someone with PTSD to "move on" or "stop thinking about it" is rarely sufficient. PTSD treatment is designed to address the learned associations, memories, beliefs, behaviors, and physiological responses associated with trauma.
Current research continues to investigate the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to PTSD and why some people develop persistent symptoms after trauma while others recover.
GET HELP 1-888-958-7511PTSD and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
PTSD rarely exists in a vacuum.
People with PTSD may also experience:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Panic disorder
- Substance use disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Other trauma-related conditions
- Difficulties with emotional regulation
NIMH specifically notes that PTSD commonly occurs alongside depression, substance use, and anxiety disorders.
When multiple conditions are present, treatment should consider the interaction between them. Treating only one condition may leave important contributors to distress unresolved.
This integrated perspective is particularly important for individuals seeking residential dual-diagnosis treatment.
When Should Someone Seek PTSD Treatment?
Professional help may be appropriate when trauma-related symptoms:
- Persist or become increasingly disruptive
- Interfere with work or relationships
- Affect sleep
- Cause persistent avoidance
- Lead to significant anxiety or depression
- Result in increased substance or alcohol use
- Cause frequent nightmares or intrusive memories
- Create difficulty functioning in everyday life
- Make a person feel persistently unsafe even when no immediate danger exists
A person does not have to wait until symptoms become overwhelming before seeking help.
Early assessment can help determine whether symptoms are part of a normal response to trauma, PTSD, another mental health condition, or a combination of concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions About PTSD
What does PTSD stand for?
PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event.
Is PTSD a mental illness?
Yes. PTSD is a recognized mental health disorder classified within trauma- and stressor-related disorders.
Can anyone develop PTSD?
Anyone can develop PTSD after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. However, most people exposed to trauma do not develop PTSD.
How long does PTSD last?
PTSD can last for months or years without treatment, although symptoms can also improve over time. Effective treatment can significantly reduce symptoms, and some people experience substantial or complete remission.
Can PTSD go away?
Yes. PTSD is treatable, and many people experience significant improvement with appropriate treatment.
What is the best treatment for PTSD?
There is no single treatment that is best for every individual. Trauma-focused psychotherapies—including EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure—have the strongest research support and are recommended by current clinical guidelines.
Is EMDR effective for PTSD?
EMDR is one of the trauma-focused psychotherapies recommended for PTSD and has substantial research support.
Can medication treat PTSD?
Yes. Certain medications can reduce PTSD symptoms. Sertraline, paroxetine, and venlafaxine are among the medications with evidence supporting their use. Medication should be prescribed and monitored by an appropriately qualified clinician.
Can PTSD cause anxiety?
PTSD commonly involves anxiety and heightened arousal, although anxiety disorders and PTSD are separate diagnoses. A person can experience both.
Can PTSD cause depression?
PTSD frequently occurs alongside depression. Both conditions can contribute to emotional withdrawal, sleep problems, hopelessness, and difficulty functioning.
Can PTSD lead to addiction?
PTSD and substance use disorders can occur together. Some people use alcohol or drugs as an attempt to manage trauma-related distress, although substance use can ultimately complicate PTSD and recovery.
Can PTSD and addiction be treated together?
Yes. Integrated treatment can address PTSD and substance use disorders concurrently rather than requiring one condition to be completely treated before addressing the other.
Does PTSD require residential treatment?
Not necessarily. Many people can be successfully treated through outpatient care. Residential treatment may be appropriate when symptoms are severe, functioning is significantly impaired, or co-occurring mental health or substance use conditions require a higher level of support.
Does Avalon Malibu treat PTSD?
Avalon Malibu provides residential mental health treatment for PTSD and trauma-related concerns within an individualized clinical program. Treatment may include trauma-focused psychotherapy, EMDR, CBT, DBT-informed approaches, psychiatric care, mindfulness, family involvement, and other therapies when clinically appropriate.
Can PTSD treatment help if someone also has an addiction?
Yes. When PTSD and substance use occur together, integrated treatment can address both conditions as part of one coordinated treatment plan.
How long does PTSD treatment take?
There is no universal treatment duration. Some evidence-based trauma-focused psychotherapies are structured over approximately 8–16 sessions, while residential treatment may require a different timeframe depending on clinical complexity and the individual's needs.
What happens after residential PTSD treatment?
Aftercare may include ongoing psychotherapy, psychiatric follow-up, medication management, family therapy, outpatient treatment, recovery support, mindfulness, exercise, and other continuing-care services.
