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Some people get over the fear, distress, and anxiety triggered by a traumatic event; others have lingering symptoms that keep getting worse and disrupt their daily life. If you struggle with ongoing psychological trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), board-certified psychiatrist Sylvia Cartwright, MD, can help. Dr. Cartwright offers inclusive psychiatric services through telehealth visits for patients living in California, helping you regain balance with medication management, therapy, and integrative care. Call the office in La Jolla, California, today or use online booking to request a telehealth consultation and start overcoming trauma.
What is trauma?
Trauma has two definitions. It refers to a frightening, life-threatening, or emotionally damaging experience, and the psychological impact that occurs as a result of the trauma.
You may experience one traumatic event or live through repeated traumas, such as a childhood of abuse or ongoing bullying.
Psychological trauma most often begins after one of the following traumatic events:
- Sexual assault
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Childhood neglect
- Military duty
- Gun violence
- Domestic violence
- Car crashes and other accidents
- Robbery or household invasion
Natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods can also cause trauma.
When does trauma become post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Most people become anxious and distressed after a traumatic event. Even if they’re severe at first, these symptoms usually improve within a few weeks. If your symptoms last a month or longer, you may have PTSD.
PTSD symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Irritability
- Anger
- Insomnia
- Social isolation
- Guilt or shame
- Uncharacteristic aggression
- Avoidance
Avoidance means that you purposefully stay away from anything that reminds you of the traumatic event. Your need to avoid the traumatic memories may be so strong that you stop socializing or take time off from work.
How can I overcome trauma?
No matter how trauma affects your mental and emotional health, you can overcome your symptoms with treatment from Dr. Cartwright. After completing a psychiatric assessment, she creates an individualized treatment plan that may include medication management, talk therapy, and/or integrative care.
Medication management
Dr. Cartwright may prescribe medications that ease PTSD symptoms. For example, several antidepressants approved for treating PTSD do more than improve depression. They can also relieve symptoms like anxiety, anger, and worry.
Therapy
Dr. Cartwright specializes in several therapeutic approaches. When treating PTSD, she often uses trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). TF-CBT helps you identify and anticipate distressing thoughts, beliefs, and emotions caused by trauma. Then you learn ways to change and overcome them.
Integrative care
As an integrative psychiatrist, Dr. Cartwright may also recommend complementary therapies and lifestyle modifications that improve your PTSD symptoms and contribute to your overall health and well-being. For example, improving your diet and increasing your daily exercise can make a big difference for trauma-related depression and anxiety.
If you struggle with the emotional effects of trauma, don’t wait to seek compassionate care from Sylvia Cartwright, MD. Call Dr. Cartwright today or connect online to schedule a telehealth appointment.