Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can profoundly impact a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It often develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, leaving individuals feeling stuck in cycles of fear, anxiety, and distress. But the good news is that the answer to “Can PTSD be cured?” is yes, it can.
Key Takeaways
- PTSD often develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, and leaves people in a state of fear, anxiety and distress.
- Up to 40% of people with PTSD recover within one year
- EMDR, CBT, and other FDA-approved treatments have proven successful to curing PSTD.
According to the World Health Organization, up to 40% of people with PTSD recover within one year. For those who still experience symptoms after that year, it may be necessary to pursue more advanced, intense treatments. We offer many forms of these treatments at our office.
How To Cure PTSD
Modern therapeutic approaches have advanced significantly, offering hope and healing for those living with PTSD. While there are many treatments and support strategies to accelerate recovery, it may take time for you to find the therapy or method that works for you. Here are the latest evidence-based treatments for PTSD to consider.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has proven to be an effective and surprisingly fast-acting treatment for PTSD. Using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, it can help the brain process and integrate traumatic memories. In addition, EMDR has shown to reduce PTSD symptoms in fewer sessions than talk therapy.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Talk therapy can be effective in curing PTSD, however, one method is significantly more successful than others. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) has proven highly effective in reducing or eliminating PTSD symptoms. By identifying and reframing negative thought patterns, TF-CBT helps develop coping skills and breaking the cycle of avoidance and fear.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy can help you to address situations and past events you find frightening so that you can cope with them. A therapist can work with you to achieve this in a gradual and predictable manner. Exposure therapy may be used to safely address flashbacks or nightmares, and provide desensitization to triggers, as well as processing the trauma memory. This can build emotional tolerance and help challenge beliefs that are not serving us well.
There are three types of Exposure Therapy:
Imaginal Exposure – retelling the traumatic event in detail to process the memory and reframe negative beliefs
In Vivo Exposure – gradual exposure to real-life situations, places or activities related to the trauma
Interoceptive Exposure – a CBT technique that recreates physical sensations that are similar to those experienced during a panic attack
Other Treatments
As we learn more about PTSD and the brain’s response to traumatic events, we develop new and more effective stratgies to deal with them.
FDA-approved treatments available by prescription only can play a role in recovery. Furthermore, there are other breakthrough therapies revolutionizing the way that PTSD can be treated. Researching these methods and
Psychotherapy As Part Of The PTSD Solution
The path to curing PTSD is deeply personal, and healing doesn’t always happen overnight. But it’s an important part of caring for adult mental health. Care for PTSD requires commitment, professional support, and, often, a willingness to step into discomfort to process past pain. However, the results can be transformative.
We are committed to helping our PTSD clients reclaim their lives. Our compassionate therapists work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. Recovery is possible, and we’re here to help every step of the way.
Take the first step toward healing today. Contact us to schedule an appointment.