How to Get Diagnosed with PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects an estimated eight million adults annually in the United States. It's a serious condition that can cause intense fear and strong emotional responses to specific triggers. PTSD typically affects people after they experience a terrifying or dangerous event.

For example, many combat veterans develop PTSD after coming home from duty. People can also get PTSD after going through traumatic events like car accidents, shootings, etc. Even those who know someone close who's experienced something traumatic can exhibit PTSD symptoms.

It's a debilitating condition that can make living life normally feel impossible. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat it. But before you can seek treatment, you need to get a diagnosis.

The Diagnostic Process

Health care providers consider many facets of your mental health and behavior to diagnose PTSD. Generally, an individual must exhibit PTSD symptoms for over a month to meet the criteria. Those symptoms must also be severe enough to interfere with work, relationships and daily life.

PTSD often develops about three months post-trauma. However, everyone is different. This condition can also pave the way to other issues like substance abuse, depression and more. Getting a proper diagnosis is critical to begin treatment.

What are the Symptoms of PTSD?

For a provider to diagnose an individual with PTSD, they must exhibit symptoms for at least a month. Qualifying symptoms fall into four distinct categories.

The first category includes re-experiencing symptoms. That can include having flashbacks, recurring nightmares, troubling thoughts and more.

The second category of symptoms revolves around avoidance. That means that PTSD forces you to avoid people, places and events that remind you of the trauma you experienced. You may also avoid any emotions related to it.

Next includes arousal or reactive symptoms. Examples include being easily startled, having trouble concentrating on your work, exhibiting angry outbursts, engaging in reckless behavior, etc.

Finally, the last category covers overall mood and cognition. Symptoms in this category include losing interest in things you used to love, feelings of social isolation, ongoing negative emotions, trouble remembering the trauma's key details and more.

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The Importance of Forgiving Yourself

Mistakes are a part of life. Everyone makes them, and no one is perfect. However, many people have difficulty forgiving themselves for their past indiscretions.

There are many reasons why you may struggle to forgive yourself. Many believe that self-criticism is crucial for success. Some refuse to give themselves a break because they don't want to forget the lessons they learned from their mistakes. Whatever the case, a lack of self-forgiveness can harm your mental health, and those issues can follow you for years.

Forgiveness and Depression

One of the biggest reasons to consider forgiveness therapy is to preserve your mental well-being. Being too hard on yourself leads to a never-ending cycle of suffering. It doesn't matter how long ago you made your mistakes or how others forgave you for impacting their lives. Being a glutton for self-punishment only causes you harm in the long run.

Many people who lack self-forgiveness fall into depression; studies show it can also create more anxiety. It's the unwavering voice of self-criticism that never goes away. The longer you hold onto your mistakes, the worse your mental health can get.

Being highly critical of yourself and your past can lead to extreme pessimism, unbreakable negativity and unnecessary stress. Learning to forgive and move on frees you from those chains and helps you take steps toward happier living.

Forgiveness Allows You to Reach Your Full Potential

Self-forgiveness is crucial to moving forward and achieving your dreams. It's about silencing the inner saboteur and resisting the need to be "perfect."

Perfectionism breeds disappointment. No one can be perfect! The inability to forgive your own mistakes forces you into a swinging door of disappointment. It doesn't matter how much work you put into something. Lacking self-forgiveness blinds you to your progress and only highlights your shortcomings. Instead of reaching for the stars, you wallow in self-pity, stress and dissatisfaction.

The only way to flourish is to accept your mistakes and let go of the desperate attempt to avoid what you perceive as failure. You must recognize your accomplishments, learn from mistakes and focus on growth.

Learning how to forgive yourself isn't easy. But with forgiveness therapy, you can shift your perspective and learn how to be kinder to yourself while letting go of stress, anxiety and ideals of perfection.

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4 Signs You May Be Suffering From Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is a debilitating condition that can negatively impact your life in many ways. Contrary to popular belief, social anxiety is not as simple as the fear of getting up in front of a crowd. In such situations, being apprehensive about getting all eyes on you is normal.

If you have social anxiety, your fears extend to everyday experiences like going out in public or meeting people. It's an ever-present fear of being humiliated and embarrassed. This anxiety can affect your relationships and lead to extreme loneliness, depression and other mental health struggles.

If you exhibit the following symptoms, seeking counseling for social anxiety may be a good idea.

Physical Symptoms

Many people think that social anxiety is all internal. However, those fears can manifest themselves in many ways.

One of the most common physical symptoms is an increased heartbeat. You may feel your heart rate suddenly rise. That may result in profuse sweating, dizziness, trembling and more.

Some people also experience flushed skin. You might turn red around other people or get so worked up that you must get away and calm down. In extreme cases, anxieties can turn into physical discomfort. Some individuals feel sick to their stomach or get diarrhea.

Communication Issues

Social anxiety also makes it difficult to communicate. Even in a one-on-one setting, you might find yourself stammering over your words. You could have trouble forming coherent sentences or freeze up entirely when trying to speak.

Low Self-Esteem

One way counseling for social anxiety helps people is by overcoming low self-esteem and self-conscious thinking. The biggest hurdle to overcome is not feeling like everyone is staring at you or laughing at your every move. If you feel anxious in a crowd, it could mean that you have self-esteem issues to overcome.

Post-Interaction Struggles

Anxiety doesn't stop after you get away from other people. Those who struggle with social anxiety often replay interactions in their mind. Simple conversations replay in a loop, and you may review those moments in a self-deprecating way.

If you have any of these symptoms, consider going to a therapist. Professional counselors can help you learn to cope in social situations, paving the way to healthier interactions and relationships.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Bipolar Disorder

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of therapy that can effectively treat various mental and physical health disorders. With an educated and experienced therapist, cognitive behavioral therapy can address bipolar episodes efficiently. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an excellent option alongside medication treatment for bipolar disorder as part of a comprehensive treatment plan read more

How to Tell if My Partner Is Toxic

Relationships are supposed to make you feel a wide range of positive emotions. While no pairing is perfect, a good relationship is one of open communication and confidence.

The term "toxic relationship" is one that people use to describe unions that negatively impact the mental health of one or both parties. Instead of bringing you joy and security, your pairing could be causing you trauma that takes years to overcome. So how do you know if your partner is toxic?

A Lack of Joy

The biggest red flag is how your partner makes you feel. Relationships can start in a good place. But once they devolve into a constant source of misery, anger and anxiety, you're looking at a toxic pairing. Your partner should make you feel loved, appreciated and accepted. If you're feeling more negative emotions than joy, there could be a problem.

Jealousy

Constant jealousy in your partner is not healthy. Both people should feel secure in the relationship. But things can get bad quickly when one constantly battles jealousy, especially when there's no reason to.

Jealous behaviors could result in controlling tendencies. For example, your partner may start forcing you to dress a specific way, prevent you from seeing certain people, etc. A jealousy counselor can help individuals overcome those tendencies, but it's important to address the issue for everyone's mental health.

Low Self-Esteem

Another telltale sign of toxicity in the relationship is low self-esteem. Partners can behave in ways that cause your self-worth to plummet. They might criticize everything you do, fail to show how much they care about you or put you down in front of others.

If you have low self-esteem caused by your partner, it's time to see a jealousy counselor or couples therapist.

Changes in Mental Health

Finally, noticeable changes in your mental state could point to toxicity from your partner. Depression, anxiety and other issues can arise at any point, even when you're in a healthy relationship. The main differentiator is the source of those problems. When a partner is the one causing mental pain and shifts in your personality, it may be time to reconsider your relationship.

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Tips on How to Heal from Abandonment Trauma

The fear of abandonment can have a debilitating effect on your life. It stems from past traumatic experiences and causes individuals to adopt unhealthy and sometimes self-deprecating thoughts. One of the most common ways abandonment trauma manifests is through intense fear of being left by family and loved ones, leading many to avoid forming relationships at all.

It can cause a lifetime of unhealthy relationships, eventually becoming a self-fulfilling issue. So how do you heal?

Focus on Your Needs

When you live with abandonment trauma, the go-to is to keep other people around you happy. Many become hyper-focused on the needs of the people in their life because they fear that not doing so will cause them to leave. Unfortunately, that often forces you to neglect your needs.

An abandonment counselor can help you turn the focus back on yourself. They work with you to reprioritize and spend time overcoming your negative thought patterns. A change in direction can be life-changing and help you form healthier relationships.

Soothe the Inner Saboteur

When you start to feel anxious about a relationship, it's usually your inner child screaming for comfort and attention. It's your past self confronting your current self. The issue is that your inner saboteur never truly healed from the traumas of the past.

An abandonment counselor can help you by teaching you ways to soothe that broken child. They can teach coping mechanisms that silence negative introspections and encourage you to find peace. It can be as simple as reminding yourself that you're safe or turning to talk therapy to express your thoughts.

Whatever the case, learning to cope with the inner saboteur encourages you to confront anxiety and see situations for what they are.

Flipping Your Perspective

This technique is sometimes called "integration." The concept is simple: Instead of viewing your traumas as damaging, you can learn to lean on the positive. While abandonment trauma can negatively impact your life in many ways, it's also helped shape who you are. Instead of viewing it as a bad experience, you can see it as a necessary one that helped you grow and get stronger.

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4 Ways a Therapist Can Support You Through Your Mental Disorder Recovery

Therapists play an important role in treating, managing, and recovering mental disorders. While other mental healthcare providers are responsible for prescription medications and other helpful treatment options, therapists provide much-needed support. It doesn't matter whether you're recovering from depression, anger management, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Therapists can make a significant difference in your recovery journey.

Here are some ways that a mental disorder recovery therapist can help.

Understanding Your Emotions

One of the best things about working with a therapist is that you can better understand how you feel and what emotions you're going through. Therapists have a deep understanding of mental disorders and psychology.

They can help you discover what you feel and why. Therapists provide clarity and shed new light on what are usually confusing emotions.

Unbiased Support

A mental disorder recovery therapist is there to provide support without judgment or bias. It can be difficult talking about your conditions with people in your life. Even friends and family you love will have internal biases that can impact your road to recovery.

Therapists lend an ear and support you every step of the way. They also provide an outside perspective, helping you see your situation differently. Many people find it easier to open up with a trained professional. Not only are conversations private, but therapists have no personal connection with you. As a result, you can speak with raw honesty.

Finding Ways to Cope

Therapists can be a fantastic source of guidance and education. Many professionals spend years learning how to help others navigate their emotions. A big part of mental disorder treatment is learning new ways to cope.

Some conditions will follow you throughout your life. But with help from a therapist, you understand how to manage those issues while protecting your mental health and well-being.

Forging a Path Forward

Finally, therapists can work with you to move forward. Recovery isn't easy, but there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. For many individuals, having a therapist by their side is crucial to seeing that light and taking steps to reach it.

These professionals will help you set goals, encourage you to achieve personal growth, and come out of your experience stronger than ever.

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