PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental health condition that can occur through witnessing or living through a traumatic event. People with PTSD are each affected differently, with many not realizing they are suffering from this problem, which is why support and counseling are essential for treatment and recovery. Serving residents from Kealekekua to Kona to Waikoloa, the medical professionals at West Hawaii Community Health Center provide a range of top-quality primary care and behavioral health care, including counseling.

Below, their compassionate behavioral health care specialists and psychologists share everything you need to know about counseling related to post-traumatic stress disorder:

What Types of Experiences Can Cause PTSD?

PTSD can occur after someone has been exposed to a single or multiple traumatic events such as sexual or physical assault, a natural or man-made disaster, or the death of a loved one. It’s also common for soldiers in the military to experience PTSD due to war-related combat.

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?

There is a broad range of symptoms associated with PTSD, and many may not appear until years after the traumatic incident. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, strong feelings of fear, guilt, and anxiety. It’s also common to experience panic attacks, difficulty focusing, and in extreme cases, thoughts of suicide.

How Can Treatment Help?

Various types of treatment options are available to help a patient suffering from PTSD. Cognitive therapy focuses on replacing negative thoughts with more positive ones and one of the primary signs of PTSD, self-isolation, can begin to be resolved through the use of group therapy as the client is now surrounded by people who understand and empathize. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, or “living in and being aware of the moment”, is also a helpful treatment for those with PTSD. 

If you’d like to begin treatment for PTSD or another type of mental health condition, call (808) 326-5629 to set up an appointment with one of the caring and sympathetic counselors at West Hawaii Community Health Center. You can also visit their website for more information about their comprehensive list of services.