PTSD

A surprisingly large number of adults (70%) in the United States encounter trauma during their lifetime. At New Horizon Mental Health and Wellness LLC in Sioux City, Iowa, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Dorcas Kamau, PMHNP-DNP, offers holistic mental health treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Schedule an evaluation with Dorcas by phone or request one online today to begin your healing journey. 

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a common mental health condition that may develop after a traumatic experience. While some people manage mild cases of PTSD on their own, severe PTSD can become debilitating when not treated by a mental health professional. 

See Dorcas at New Horizon Mental Health and Wellness LLC if you no longer want to deal with the troublesome challenges associated with PTSD.

Which symptoms can PTSD cause?

Symptoms of PTSD include:

• Always being on guard for danger
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Anxiety 
• Depression
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Being startled easily
• Intrusive memories
• Emotional distress
• Thoughts of suicide
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Substance misuse

When not addressed, severe PTSD symptoms can interfere with your job, school, relationships, and self-care. See Dorcas as the first sign of problematic PTSD. 

What may increase the risk of PTSD?

PTSD can develop after any type of trauma, including:

• Emotional, sexual, or physical abuse
• Car accident
• Military combat
• Violence 
• Natural disaster
• Being a first responder
• Childhood neglect

Anything your body deems traumatic can trigger PTSD symptoms, even long after the incident occurred.

Do I have PTSD?

Dorcas determines if you have PTSD after completing an in-person or virtual psychiatric evaluation. During the assessment, she discusses your symptoms, lifestyle, mental health history, medications, and any past trauma. She also asks about your lifestyle and screens for any other mental health concerns.

How is PTSD treated?

Dorcas offers psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication management, and lifestyle counseling to help you overcome PTSD. You meet with her in person or virtually via telehealth to discover the behavior-change strategies needed to overcome problematic symptoms and live your best life. 

She takes a holistic approach to care but prescribes medications whenever needed. Dorcas offers cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and other types of psychotherapy to alter your thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. 

It’s also important to minimize stress, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat nutritious foods. Follow up with Dorcas weekly or as needed to ensure superior restoration, and call her at any time with questions. She adjusts your treatment plan if needed to maximize your outcome.

Schedule an in-person or virtual PTSD evaluation at New Horizon Mental Health and Wellness LLC by phone or request one online today.