what are the 5 signs of ptsd

5 Signs of PTSD

Written by In Balance Counseling on . Posted in General.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition. Usually, traumatic events bring on PTSD, whether a person experienced it first-hand or witnessed it happen to someone else. While PTSD has a strong link with war veterans, this condition can occur to anyone who witnesses something tragic and, consequently, displays one or more of the five common symptoms.

What are the five signs of PTSD? In Balance Counseling covers the details below. Its intensive outpatient program in Tucson, AZ, commits to spreading mental health awareness, and PTSD is part of this focus.

Traumatic Experience

A PTSD diagnosis requires there to have been a traumatic event. It doesn’t matter if the person was actually in danger – it’s how the person perceived this situation. 

Veterans, first responders, or those who witnessed a tragic accident may develop PTSD.

Flashbacks or Nightmares

Those diagnosed with PTSD often endure the intrusion of recurring nightmares or flashbacks. Some people experience dissociation during flashbacks, which is when they lose awareness of their surroundings. 

Nightmares could interfere with the person’s ability to get a good night’s rest, which comes with challenges of its own.

Trigger Avoidance

People usually want to avoid triggers that spur their flashbacks, anxiety, or other PTSD symptoms. For example, the person may try to avoid:

  • Conversations related to their trauma
  • Troubling thoughts and feelings
  • People and places similar to the source of the trauma
  • Hobbies, media, or activities related to the traumatic event

If there are triggers, people may stop engaging in their favorite hobbies, visiting their favorite restaurants, or speaking to their closest friends that they somehow associate with the event. Veterans may find fireworks triggering. Someone assaulted during their childhood may avoid the street they grew up on.

Mood Changes

Happy people can turn into very unhappy individuals once they develop PTSD. Exaggerated thinking is common, like saying, “You can’t trust anyone” or “Cars are too dangerous to drive.”

People may also lose interest in hobbies and activities due to depression or feelings of estrangement. Struggling internally may also mean the person finds it harder to relate to their loved ones.

Behavioral Changes

What are the five signs of PTSD? One of the most noticeable answers is a change in behavior. For example, hypervigilance is a common trauma response where the person overreacts to startling sounds, always looks over their shoulder for danger, or sees restless sleep turning into outright insomnia.

A person who was always eager to go on adventures or take risks may become very careful about their choices due to their heightened anxiety. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a normally cautious person who loses hope in a positive future may become a risk-taker.

Contact In Balance Counseling for PTSD Help

If you are experiencing challenging symptoms or other unhealthy coping mechanisms, please reach out to professionals like In Balance Counseling. To recap, what are the five signs of PTSD? They include: 

  • A traumatic experience to pinpoint
  • Flashbacks or nightmares
  • Trigger avoidance
  • Behavioral and mood changes

An intensive outpatient program for PTSD could help you achieve physical, spiritual, social, and emotional healing. Call In Balance Counseling at (520) 722-9631 for help.

social anxiety disorder diagnosis

Social Anxiety Disorder — Diagnosis and Treatment        

Written by In Balance Counseling on . Posted in General.

Have you felt your heart race in a crowded room? Does the thought of social gatherings make you uneasy?

As a trusted intensive outpatient program in Tucson, we at In Balance Counseling offer a supportive environment where you can explore these feelings. A social anxiety disorder diagnosis means understanding the triggers causing distress and addressing them.

Keep reading as we break down the nitty-gritty details.

Identifying Social Anxiety

The first step is to differentiate usual shyness from the characteristics of social anxiety disorder. The official criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) from the American Psychiatric Association include:

  • Persistent phobia of people judging you negatively and feeling embarrassed or humiliated
  • Enduring social situations with intense anxiety or full avoidance
  • Distress that causes impairment in your day-to-day activities
  • Fear or anxiety that doesn’t stem from another medical condition, medication, or substance abuse

If any of these resonate with your experiences, it’s time to consult your healthcare provider. They may obtain an official diagnosis through:

  • Physical examinations
  • In-depth consultations that discuss the symptoms, how often they occur, and when
  • Providing self-report questionnaires about social anxiety symptoms

The Path Forward

You should never feel embarrassed about a social anxiety disorder diagnosis. About 5% to 10% of people across the world have it, so it’s more common than you think. Modern treatments have made it possible to manage and overcome the condition effectively.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, often referred to as talk therapy, involves working with a trained therapist to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a subset of this approach, and many consider it one of the most effective treatments for social anxiety disorder.

It aims to spot negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety and change them. Individuals learn coping strategies, gradually face fearful social situations, and ultimately develop healthier ways to manage their condition.

Medication

Have you ever heard of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)? Many with social anxiety disorders have naturally low levels of serotonin — the chemical that significantly influences emotions. SSRIs, such as sertraline or fluoxetine, work to increase it to help improve mood.

Most specialists recommend therapy to tackle social anxiety, while medication serves as an additional support. Have a frank conversation with your doctor; they will work with you and recommend a suitable prescription and dosage. It’s crucial to monitor for any side effects and actively communicate concerns with them.

Some cases call for alternatives like antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta blockers.

Work With Specialists Who Care

Are you ready to take the next step? Addressing your social anxiety disorder diagnosis can improve personal relationships, boost job performance, and enhance your overall quality of life. It’s all about finding a support network.

In Balance Counseling provides individual therapy sessions and group programs tailor-fit to your needs. You’re not just another client; you’re part of a community committed to your growth.

Dial 520-722-9631 or fill out our form if you need therapy — everyone deserves a space where they feel heard and understood. Reach out today.

are you born with adhd or does it develop

Are You Born With ADHD or Does It Develop?

Written by In Balance Counseling on . Posted in General.

ADHD carries a lot of stigma around it, making many adults ignore the symptoms. ADHD is a neurological condition causing a combination of impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity, and often associated with misbehaving children. But this condition can affect anyone from birth to adulthood, so are you born with ADHD or does it develop?

Studies suggest it’s largely genetics that determine your likelihood to have ADHD, but environmental factors play a big part in it, too. If you suspect you have ADHD, talk to our licensed professionals at In Balance Counseling. We offer individual therapy and intensive outpatient programs to provide well-rounded mental health support. Reach out today to learn more about how we can assist you.

Possible Genetic Factors

Are you born with ADHD or does it develop? Many congenital factors may cause a person to have ADHD. Symptoms often appear in childhood, though some people aren’t diagnosed until adulthood.

The Brain

Many complexities in the brain may contribute to the development of ADHD:

  • Chemistry: Dopamine is a brain chemical related to your nervous system that’s responsible for motivation and pleasure. Those with ADHD tend to have lower amounts of dopamine in their brain.
  • Function: Those with ADHD may have a physically different brain that handles attention, memory, and cognitive control differently than those who don’t have it.
  • Injury: A traumatic brain injury may cause developmental issues that result in ADHD.
  • Structure: Studies find that people with ADHD have smaller brain volumes and various regions of the brain controlling motivation and emotional regulation.

Prenatal Factors

People who had complications during birth or exposure to harmful substances before they were born may be more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis.

Complications include:

  • Exposure to alcohol, smoking, pesticides, lead, or other harmful toxins during development
  • Weighing under five pounds at birth
  • Premature birth or cesarean delivery
  • Oxygen deprivation before, during, or after birth

Possible Environmental Factors

Signs of ADHD may show up if a child endures traumatic events, including:

  • Abuse and neglect
  • Harsh parenting, including intrusiveness, poor treatment, and high emotions
  • Unsafe or unstable environment
  • Witnessing or enduring violence

Scientists have yet to determine if these directly cause ADHD or if they only make preexisting symptoms worse. Parents who are highly reactive with their emotions could struggle with emotional control due to ADHD symptoms, thus creating a generational cycle.

Find Mental Balance With In Balance Counseling

Are you born with ADHD or does it develop? As mental health awareness spreads and more adults dive into their well-being, we’ll ask this question more often. ADHD is not yet fully understood, but as it stands, it’s likely genetic but highly influenced by environmental factors.

If you feel the effects of ADHD in your daily life and need help overcoming them, call In Balance Counseling in Tucson, AZ. We will help you find balance in your life by exploring physical, social, emotional, and spiritual healing so you can learn how to navigate and regulate ADHD symptoms. Call (520) 722-9631.